Aside from Crosby, which player has highest skill in league?

[Mulletman]

Look no further than Joe Thornton. Last game he bounced an assist off of Barkov to Pavelski so he could score his 300th career goal. And Barkov couldn't do anything about it despite being super elite defensively.

 

[illpucks]

There are other players that have scored goals from the goal line similar to that. Have you just started watching the NHL?


Many current players have overall skills at Crosby's level. Some have been mentioned above. That "other" C on Pitt has comparable skills.

Lol I've watched hockey for long long time. Yes other players that have done behind goal line. But he had 4 Rangers cutting off his passing lanes, a defender on him and he goes over defenders stick, hits the mask of the goalie at an angle that requires awareness on where the goalie is looking towards. He chose the 0.00001 probability play and it worked.

 

[illpucks]

For those saying McDavid, what is McDavid's highest skill goal in junior?

This is Crosby's

 

[Bladerunner]

Lol I've watched hockey for long long time. Yes other players that have done behind goal line. But he had 4 Rangers cutting off his passing lanes, a defender on him and he goes over defenders stick, hits the mask of the goalie at an angle that requires awareness on where the goalie is looking towards.

Well I'm glad you think it's funny you've been watching hockey for long long time. So have I
Aren't you the one that started the "is Crosby a PP specialist at this point"? Now he's the mostest w/the skills b/c he makes a bank off the tender goal

He chose the 0.00001 probability play and it worked.

Careful w/the zeros. 1 in 100,000? Much more probable that a career AHL plumber could score a goal like that. For a player w/skills like Crosby you'd be closer removing a few zeros. But you're right in a sense but in the wrong way. He uses good skill to make a long shot attempt at a goal. That's what that play was - a hope and a prayer. Given his ability he had a better chance to pull it off than most other players. Nothing more or less than that.

I think you love those kind of goals. I do too, just not as much as you

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

Gaudreau is the most skilled player after Crosby.

 

[Riddum]

McDavid is less skilled than Crosby overall but his speed, explosiveness and ability to handle the puck at full speed are unparalleled.

 

[howkie]

Drouin is skilled as f........ but he needs to take the next step.

(Far from Canadien or Tampa fan, but when Drouin is on it is magic)

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

I can't be the only one that sees what this is. He knows that crosby is not seen by most fans as the most skilled player in the league so he made this thread to see people refute that claim. Lol

 

[Drytoast]

Aki Berg

 

[Riddum]

Ovi is definitely not the same player he was back in the day. Some of the goals he scored from 05 to 09 he couldn't pull off today if he wanted to. That has more to do with his skating not being on the same level it was then. He was clocked as the fastest player in the league over that time. Now he might not even be in the top 5.

He wasn't the fastest, he was extremely explosive and could shoot from anywhere. He was also incredible at shooting through defenders and using them as a screen.

Combine that with his size and his high skill level, that's why he was nearly unstoppable in his prime. He could burn pass you, deke you, shoot through you or bulldoze you... and he could snap it from the blue line.

 

[Lacaar]

Smarts go hand in hand with skill. The skill to pull off video in OP is a 11/10. Neither Kane, nor Malkin, nor Ovi can pull that off.

He doesn't have consistent flash but his top end skill is unmatchable by anyone in the league.

I think you're wrong. That was all smarts.. There's a bazillion players that can do that. not very many smart enough to recognize the opening though.

I really think you're mistaking smarts for skill.

 

[Muggs]

McDavid's the best in the league and will be for the next decade plus. There are guys that will come close on occasion but over the long haul nobody will produce like McDavid. Stamkos is on borrowed time at the top of the scoring table.

Sid may be more complete when you break their games down individually, but McDavid still generates more chances then anyone on a per game in the NHL. Scary.

Thankfully the NHL isn't the NBA.

 

[illpucks]

I can't be the only one that sees what this is. He knows that crosby is not seen by most fans as the most skilled player in the league so he made this thread to see people refute that claim. Lol

Hmm...I dunno. I think Crosby is top in skill and a lot of people would say so. I gave Crosby massive props on that goal last season saying it might be the highest skill goal in the history of the league and I stand by that.

 

[Lacaar]

For those saying McDavid, what is McDavid's highest skill goal in junior?

This is Crosby's

That goal has been scored many a time over many a leagues.. that's done in midget for gods sake. By no means is that Crosby's highest skill goal I'd wager.

You're either baiting or ignorant buddy

 

[SI90]

Kane and Tavares

 

[illpucks]

That goal has been scored many a time over many a leagues.. that's done in midget for gods sake. By no means is that Crosby's highest skill goal I'd wager.

You're either baiting or ignorant buddy

Then post his highest skill goal from junior. That goal has been scored before but he scored it at a high level.

 

[illpucks]

McDavid's the best in the league and will be for the next decade plus. There are guys that will come close on occasion but over the long haul nobody will produce like McDavid. Stamkos is on borrowed time at the top of the scoring table.

Sid may be more complete when you break their games down individually, but McDavid still generates more chances then anyone on a per game in the NHL. Scary.

Thankfully the NHL isn't the NBA.

So Bure had highest skill level in NHL history?

 

[Nico the Draft Riser]

McDavid's the best in the league and will be for the next decade plus. There are guys that will come close on occasion but over the long haul nobody will produce like McDavid. Stamkos is on borrowed time at the top of the scoring table.

Sid may be more complete when you break their games down individually, but McDavid still generates more chances then anyone on a per game in the NHL. Scary.

Thankfully the NHL isn't the NBA.

Besides his speed, McDavid’s skating doesnt hold a candle to Crosby’s. Crosby is smarter, has better puck control, and has the far better backhand/snap shot.
McDavid had a better wrist shot and is faster with better hands, but that is about it.

Edit: Now that I think about it Crosby probably has better hands but McDavid chooses to use dekes more often.

 

[Muggs]

So Bure had highest skill level in NHL history?

No, Bure does not. He didn't have McDavid's skill level either.

 

[illpucks]

No, Bure does not. He didn't have McDavid's skill level either.

Sure about that? Very very similar

 

[StevenF1919]

Ya, put it this way. How good would McDavid be if he had average speed? When Sid scored that goal last season he likely wasn't a top 10 in speed player. He is quick but he's not using his speed disproportionately.

It takes way more skill to do the things Connor does at his speed than the things Crosby does while going slower.

 

[PAZ]

Skill doesn't magically disappear.

Yup, definitely see Jagr doing the same moves today as he did when he first entered the league.

 

[illpucks]

It takes way more skill to do the things Connor does at his speed than the things Crosby does while going slower.

So Bure > Gretzky?

 

[hockeykicker]

In the past, Ovechkin. Right now, I'd probably say either McDavid or Karlsson. Kane's in the picture, as well.


LOL You're not familiar with illpucks, are you? He's not a Crosby homer.

yes he is

 

[Martinez]

#1 is obviously Crosby for skill. No other player can do this


But after that who else? And don't just say McDavid. Speed isn't everything. There are some slow guys that have super elite skill. Would like to hear some opinions.

It's not that uncommon