Who is the best skater (technique and ability wise) in the NHL?

[CF Magic]

Not necessarily the fastest, but overall skating ability including stride, edgework, how it looks, etc.

For me, Barzal makes it look sooo easy and fluid especially with how low he gets in his stride and during tight turns.

 

[LeProspector]

McDavid

 

[britdevil]

Hughes brothers.

 

[GirardSpinorama]

Makar.

 

[AgeIess]

McDavid

 

[koyvoo]

Jake Muzzin

 

[Golden_Jet]

Chabot looks smooth and effortless when he skates.

 

[avsfan9]

Makar

 

[67 others]

Not necessarily the fastest, but overall skating ability including stride, edgework, how it looks, etc.

For me, Barzal makes it look sooo easy and fluid especially with how low he gets in his stride and during tight turns.

McDavid is unmatched for explosiveness, acceleration, precision, and economy of motion and ability to move not only north south, but east/west in the blink of an eye, but when it comes to edges and sudden changes of direction while protecting the puck down low, nobody tops Sid

 

[hypereconomist]

Cam Fowler has an incredibly smooth stride and excellent all-around mobility

 

[Krewe]

McDavid aside, Brayden Point is up there

 

[ElysiumAB]

Did you know Jeff Skinner was a figure skater in his youth?

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

It's tough to really gauge how much of it is technique vs. just natural talent/athleticism but I think Aho is definitely up there in the technique aspect of it.

 

[Peasy]

Jack Hughes skates so effortlessly.

 

[Lays]

Not one mention of Makar yet but he’s my favorite to watch skate

 

[summer tooth]

Erik Karlsson has the best strides

 

[raymond23]

McDavid and Makar

 

[Kcb12345]

Not one mention of Makar yet but he’s my favorite to watch skate

Did you look at the other replies? 2 people said Makar

I agree though Makar seems to have no weaknesses at all in his skating ability.
McDavid and Barzal are great answers as well of course. There's quite a few, but those 3 have to be at the top I'd say

 

[Eegs]

Hughes bros edgework is fantastic.

 

[The Abusement Park]

McDavid, Makar, both Hughes, and Point/Barzal would probably be my top 5.

 

[Lays]

Did you look at the other replies? 2 people said Makar

I agree though Makar seems to have no weaknesses at all in his skating ability.
McDavid and Barzal are great answers as well of course. There's quite a few, but those 3 have to be at the top I'd say

I guess I’m tripping then I could’ve swore I didn’t see a single Makar comment

 

[bsu]

Cam Fowler has an incredibly smooth stride and excellent all-around mobility

I came to put this, I'm not the hugest Fowler fan but his skating in incredible.

 

[howboutahug]

McDavid and Makar

 

[Eternal Leaf]

Makar is a tremendous skater.

I think he's the best in the game when it comes to pure skating.

McDavid is a world-class skater too but it's more about the hands. It's the rare combination of elite skill and skating that makes him lethal.

 

[hohosaregood]

Did you look at the other replies? 2 people said Makar

I agree though Makar seems to have no weaknesses at all in his skating ability.
McDavid and Barzal are great answers as well of course. There's quite a few, but those 3 have to be at the top I'd say

Bro, makar is so underrated