2022-23 NHLPA Player Poll

For the second straight year, Andrei Vasilevskiy was the players’ top pick – with 314 votes – as the goalie they would want in the net with one game on the line. Who can argue with a resume that includes two Stanley Cups, a Vezina Trophy and a Conn Smythe Trophy?

In seemingly every game he plays, Connor McDavid puts his name on the scoring sheet with another jaw-dropping move. Thanks to his unmatched skill set, 355 players voted the 26-year-old superstar as the player they would most want on their side if they needed to win a single game.

There is a new sheriff in town on the blueline! Cale Makar’s 2021-22 season was one of the best for a defencemen in NHL history, winning the Norris Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy and Stanley Cup. No wonder nearly 400 players voted him the top defenceman in the game.

Patrick Kane takes home the honour as the league's best stick-handler for the third straight season. Kane received 281 player votes to give him the nod in this category, while Connor McDavid received 175 player votes to claim second for the third straight time as well.

Once again, Leon Draisaitl earned the title of the game’s best passer, according to the players. The German forward claimed the top spot with 150 player votes, while Patrick Kane and Nikita Kucherov rounded out the top three – both receiving a share of over 10% of the vote.

Sidney Crosby continues to be revered as the game’s most complete player. No. 87 has now led or shared the top spot in this category for four consecutive seasons, after receiving 178 votes. Patrice Bergeron and Aleksander Barkov remain in the top three for the fourth straight year.

Don’t want to play against him but would love to play with him. For the second straight year, the players would much prefer to see Brad Marchand sporting their colours, rather than having to face the Bruins forward who often finds his way into the middle of the action.

For his willingness to go into the blue paint and his ability to tip-in pucks, Joe Pavelski is recognized by the players as being most effective around the twine. Fellow Americans Chris Kreider and Matthew Tkachuk round out the top three.

Over 23% of the players who responded believe Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov deserves far more credit, voting him the most underrated player in the league. The 2020-21 Selke Award winner received 119 votes to dominate the category.

Thanks to goals in four straight gold medal Olympic finals for Team Canada, along with her on-ice prowess with the PWHPA, Marie-Philip Poulin received 112 votes from players who would sign up to skate alongside her. Team USA and PWHPA forward Hilary Knight finished second in the category.

For the fifth time in the NHLPA Player Poll, Montréal’s Bell Centre is recognized for having the best ice – 176 players agreed that the home of the Habs continues to reign supreme over the rest of the league.

Travelling to various cities throughout an 82-game season can be demanding to anyone. Although, if they have their pick of where to spend an off day, the players view Las Vegas as the best-case scenario.

It’s official, Flower is a fun guy. Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-André Fleury takes the crown as the best guy in the locker room. While 181 different players received a vote, there was a three-way tie in second place between fellow veterans Phil Kessel, Kevin Hayes and Jakob Voracek.

Strolling into first place, Auston Matthews’ kicks have players around the league turning heads. Voted the most fashionable in the 2020-21 NHLPA Player Poll, Matthews’ style continues to impress his peers.