As the NHL season approaches its final stop before the Stanley Cup Playoffs frenzy erupts, the Players Association conducted a league-wide survey, asking the stars of the game to name the best players in various categories. When asked to identify the most complete player in the league, interstingly, it wasn’t Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon who earned the most votes.
The NHL has no shortage of superstars, who can produce points in the offensive zone and help their team out in their own D-zone, as well. While McDavid and MacKinnon play a complete, 200-feet game, they are mostly recognized for their impact ahead of the red line.
That’s not to say the Oilers and Avalanche’s stars cannot put defenders on their toes when taking possession in their own zone, as their on-the-rush talent is second-to-none.
However, when asked to name the most complete player in the league, the majority of the NHLPA landed on a different name — and it didn’t surprise anyone.
Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 04, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
According to the NHLPA’s end-of-season survey, Sidney Crosby was named the “Most Complete Player” in the NHL with 33.81% of the votes. Crosby has held this distinction for six consecutive seasons — every time the NHLPA has posed the question.
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Second place
MacKinnon earned the third-most votes for this distinction, while McDavid finished just shy of making the podium. The player who secured the second-most votes — and came very close to dethroning Crosby — is widely considered the most underrated forward in the league.
Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov earned 30.95% of the total votes, finishing just behind Crosby. Barkov, who has often been named the most underrated player, is arguably the best two-way forward in the league, becoming the heir to Patrice Bergeron’s Selke Trophy reign.
Connor McDavid, 97 of the Edmonton Oilers, skatesagainst the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on March 14, 2025 in Elmont, New York.
McDavid earns his distinctions
Though McDavid didn’t make the podium for Most Complete Player, he did take home a title, steamrolling the survey for “Best Overall Forward” with 73.89% of the responses.
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The Oilers’ captain was also named the “Best Overall Skater” in the league, receiving 66.41% of the votes. MacKinnon’s teammate, Cale Makar, came in second with 11.41%.
