Results From the NHLPA’s 2024-25 Player Poll

Who Is the Best Overall Defenseman? Winner: Cale Makar (71.78%)

Second Place: Quinn Hughes (7.44%)
Third Place: Victor Hedman (5.74%)

“All hail Cale!” He finished the season with 30 goals and 62 assists, totaling 92 points. This marks a career high for both goals and points. Makar is the first defenseman to score 30 goals in a season since Mike Green achieved 31 goals in 68 games during the 2008-09 season. They are the only two defensemen to reach this milestone in the past 30 years. He currently leads all defensemen in goals, assists, and points this season.

Who Is the Most Complete Player? Winner: Sidney Crosby (33.81%)

Second Place: Sasha Barkov (30.95%)
Third Place: Nathan MacKinnon (7.14%)

If there is anyone who embodies the essence of Father Time, it would be Sidney Crosby. The competitiveness and skill he brings to the ice remain impressive every season, even as he approaches his 38th birthday next year. With 32 goals and 57 assists for 89 points in 79 games played, Crosby continues to showcase his excellence, breaking records each season. While many have focused on Alex Ovechkin as he chased Wayne Gretzky’s goal-scoring record, Crosby recently broke another of Gretzky’s records by achieving the most points-per-game seasons in NHL history. This marks the 20th such season of his career, surpassing Gretzky’s record of 19. However, watch for Sasha Barkov, who finished second with only 18 votes behind Crosby.

Who Is The Best Playmaker? Winner: Nikita Kucherov (48.25%)

Second Place: Connor McDavid (21.16%)
Third Place: Leon Draisaitl (6.83%)

The 2023-24 Art Ross Trophy winner and presumably the 2024-25 winner also dishes the puck like no one can. With 84 assists this season and two games left, he is second only to Nathan MacKinnon but looks to pass him with his games in hand. Kucherov became the fifth player in NHL history last season to record over 100 assists in a single season. He also became the fourth player in NHL history to have three consecutive seasons with over 80 assists this season.

If You Need to Win a Faceoff, Who Would You Pick?
Winner: Sidney Crosby (20.39%)

Second Place: Ryan O’Reilly (9.95%)
Third Place: Anze Kopitar (9.62%)

Taking home his second award this season, when it comes to winning a crucial faceoff in either your own zone or the opponent’s, the league sees no one other than Crosby to make the significant play. Currently leading the league in faceoff attempts with 1,759, he has won 1,002 faceoffs this season, and with a success rate of 57.0%, he leads the league in faceoff percentage.

Who Is the Smartest Overall Player? Winner: Sidney Crosby (27.02%)

Second Place: Nikita Kucherov (24.71%)
Third Place: Connor McDavid (11.53%)

Three-peating in these awards, Crosby again shows how he is aging like fine wine. While his play on the ice is as formidable as it can be, it’s his hockey IQ that stands out, no matter what age he is. Offensively and defensively, he can read his opponents as well as his teammates, which makes him one of the most formidable players to not only play with but also against.

Who Is the Best Overall Skater? Winner: Connor McDavid (66.41%)

Second Place: Cale Makar (11.41%)
Third Place: Nathan MacKinnon (8.91%)

McDavid’s speed and footwork should come as no surprise when compared to other talents across the league. He displays explosive speed entering the offensive zone, paired with his dazzling stick work to maneuver the puck across the ice and between defenders easily.

It’s only a matter of time in a game before a highlight-reel goal, like the one against the New York Rangers, occurs. If he’s not finishing the play himself, his awareness enables him to set up an easy scoring opportunity for a teammate. This often catches defenders off guard, as everyone focuses on him instead of the trailing teammate.

Which Player Has The Best Fashion Sense?
Winner: David Pastrnak & Auston Matthews (15.75%)

Second Place: William Nylander (12.90%)
Third Place: Patrick Laine (3.80%)

They say, “Fashion is in the eye of the beholder,” so don’t ask me about what I think is fashionable. However, the league agrees that David Pastrnak and Auston Matthews show up with the best appearances game after game.

Who Would Be a Good Broadcaster Once They Retire?
Winner: Kevin Hayes (4.85%)

Second Place: Ryan Strome (3.88%)
Third Place: Brad Marchand (3.50%)

Having played over 777 games in his NHL career with five different teams and many more to come, Kevin Hayes receives the winning vote as players recognize him as the best player to become a broadcaster.

Which PWHL Rulebook Change Would You Like to See in the NHL?
Winner: Jailbreak Rule (Minor Penalty Ends Shorthanded) (29.70%)

Second Place: 3-2-1-0 Point System (Regulation win = 3 points; OT/shootout win = 2 points; OT/shootout loss = 1 point) (24.36%)
Third Place: First Place Finisher Chooses Playoff Opponent (Top Seed Picks Opponent in Playoffs) (16.83%)

The PWHL structures the game differently, and some NHL players wouldn’t mind seeing some of their rules incorporated into the NHL. This season, the NHL has recorded 207 shorthanded goals and counting. However, this rule change could have impacted numerous games. Also in close contention is a change to how the point system works, which, given how we’re seeing playoff teams race for the final wild card spots, can affect how the season concludes down to the very last game.

Which NHL Arena Has the Best Ice? Winner: Montreal, Bell Centre (44.96%)

Second Place: Edmonton, Rogers Place (14.87%)
Third Place: Winnipeg, Canada Life Centre (10.77%)

Ice conditions and what many prefer will always be different for every player, but most agree that the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, has the best ice. This is also the seventh year that Bell Centre has won the “Best Ice” Award and will presumably keep the reins for years.

It’s been a hell of a season, from the Ovechkin goal record chase to the debut of the 4 Nations Face-Off, Utah Hockey Club’s inaugural season, Sam Rosen’s retirement tour, and many more memorable moments. The 2024-25 NHL season has been one for the books, and with the playoffs starting on Saturday, April 19, the action keeps coming for what should be a great playoff season.