Best Puck Handler of All Time?

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Brian Leetch is the top among D-men, I feel

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

Datsyuk

 

[OmniSens]

Jagr, Datsyuk, Kovalev. One of these.

 

[HanSolo]

Pavel Datsyuk

 

[Cult of Hynes]

Kovalev

 

[tarheelhockey]

Moved to the History forum.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Yes but he was still able to make effective plays by shooting. The guy could score from anywhere in any situation.

LOL I know I know. I lived through it and hated him for it. He had a cannon for both snap shots and slap shots. Back in those days his forearms looked like Popeye.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Brian Leetch is the top among D-men, I feel

That would be a hard choice among Rangers. Gresh used to rush the puck the full length of the ice. Leetch was very good as well. Impossible for me to choose between them in regards to stick handling.

 

[King Forsberg]

They call him Mario Jr for a reason, and it's because Mario was more skilled, and also the most skilled player of all time.

Lemiuex is probably more skilled. You're right about that. Jagr could do things that Mario couldn't do in terms puck handling though.

 

[The Panther]

By the best I've ever seen:
- Gretzky

Then,
- Denis Savard
- M. Lemieux

Honorable Mentions: Brian Leetch

Jagr seems to me like the guy who was great at handling the puck when driving to the net, great one-on-one, but when in 2nd-gear or stickhandling in other areas/directions (ie., not going to the net) such as on the boards, behind the net, through the neutral zone, he wasn't in the class of a Gretzky or Denis Savard.

 

[ImporterExporter]

I think the most amazing aspect of Lemieux's ability to handle the puck was how smooth he looked doing it, at such a large size. I mean compared to almost every other person we're bringing up he's a mammoth.

 

[authentic]

Jagr. He was the best all time at protecting the puck not to mention he's probably the most skilled player of all time as well.

The guy in your avatar/username was just about equally as good at protecting the puck IMO. I'm also not sure what Jagr could do with the puck that Lemieux couldn't.

 

[authentic]

By the best I've ever seen:
- Gretzky

Then,
- Denis Savard
- M. Lemieux

Honorable Mentions: Brian Leetch

Jagr seems to me like the guy who was great at handling the puck when driving to the net, great one-on-one, but when in 2nd-gear or stickhandling in other areas/directions (ie., not going to the net) such as on the boards, behind the net, through the neutral zone, he wasn't in the class of a Gretzky or Denis Savard.

Are you kidding me? Jagr was a better stickhandler than Gretzky.

 

[tjcurrie]

First 4 that come to mind:

Lemieux
Jagr
Datsyuk
Forsberg

 

[Crosbyfan]

Gretzky...theres a reason D wouldn't chase him behind the net.

Lemieux, Beliveau, Jagr, Malkin for big guys with reach

Henri Richard, Stan Mikita, Denis Savard, Datsyuk, Crosby, Kane...

Also gotta mention Valeri Kharlamov...poetry in motion


...and let's not forget Aurel Joliat:

 

[Do Make Say Think]

Kovalev probably

 

[GMR]

Datsyuk. When he first came into the league, he would frequently deke a guy and then deke him again when he didn't even need to.

As others have said, Bure could handle the puck better at full speed than anyone else. He's another one I need to mention.

Kovelav had tremendous skill, but I don't remember him deking as many people as Datsyuk during games.

 

[thegoldenyear]

We should have a forum dedicated to simply asking Who Is Number Two All-Time, because the answer for "Best Ever At 'X'" is usually the same lovely guy.

 

[Teeder9]

There's a lot of things I've never seen anyone better than Gretzky at, but this isn't one of them. Lemieux is the answer. Probably Orr for dmen, but Coffey is likely in the discussion for the next bunch.

 

[shazariahl]

Are you kidding me? Jagr was a better stickhandler than Gretzky.

I'm not so sure about that. Yes, at protecting the puck Jagr is maybe the best ever. But as far as actual stick handling skills, Gretzky was incredible. He even beat Lemieux in a heads-up puck control race at the all-star game when he was with the Kings.

Post back injury Gretzky was by no means as awesome though, which may be what you're thinking of.

edit: I'm not saying Gretzky is #1 though, as I feel guys like Bure and Datsyuk are both better in heavy traffic.

 

[Fred Taylor]

Lemieux has to be the answer here.

 

[habsfanatics*]

Lemieux imo.

 

[Sens Rule]

Kovalev probably

Not Kovalev. He would dangle until he lost the puck so often. Impressive but not effective. Jagr, Mario, Bure, Gretzky. Etc would stickhandle until they shot or passed. Kovalev would so often beat two or three guys then lose the puck and achieve nothing.

 

[Sens Rule]

There's a lot of things I've never seen anyone better than Gretzky at, but this isn't one of them. Lemieux is the answer. Probably Orr for dmen, but Coffey is likely in the discussion for the next bunch.

Gretzky was all about results. He almost never lost the puck. Stole it so much. But I agree... He could have the best "hands"... But he would rarely attempt to stickhandle through guys when he could pass... And he could always pass.

 

[livewell68]

Not Kovalev. He would dangle until he lost the puck so often. Impressive but not effective. Jagr, Mario, Bure, Gretzky. Etc would stickhandle until they shot or passed. Kovalev would so often beat two or three guys then lose the puck and achieve nothing.

For most of his career this is true but for three seasons in 2000-01, then again in 2002-03 and finally in 2007-08, he was lights out and one of the top 5 most skilled players.

Even Lemieux and Jagr once called Kovalev the best stickhandler of all-time.