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

[JoeSakic13]

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 mean technically he’s right. There wasn’t one mention of Makar because there was two.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I like watching Kylington skate.

Looks like a freaking gazelle. Never seen a defenseman who could close on forwards like him.

 

[Turbonium]

Kurtis MacDermid

 

[Hedmonster Bolt]

Point

https://tenor.com/view/brayden-point-tampa-bay-lightning-goal-ice-hockey-gif-15348466
https://tenor.com/view/brayden-point-tampa-bay-lightning-hockey-player-gif-15348469
https://tenor.com/view/brayden-point-gif-23805442

 

[LakeLivin]

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

 

[Toene]

In the league, Hughes, Makar, McDavid, Barzal are all elite. From my team, Jeff Petry is such an effortless skater, it's beautiful to watch. When I see them live he's always the one that catches my eye.

 

[Chaels Arms]

From having just watched the Canucks against the Rangers I have to say Quinn Hughes's skating is technically about as perfect as you can get for a defenseman. He reminds me of Scott Niedermayer more than any player since Niedermayer.

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

Makar and Quinn Hughes. No doubt this has to go to a Dman as the average forward looks terrible skating backwards.

 

[Marotte Marauder]

Miro Heiskanen

 

[Sensinitis]

Formenton is easily up there, and this coming from someone who used to watch peak Karlsson every other day

 

[heysmilinstrange]

Crosby is still very near the top of the list.

 

[LosPollosHermanos]

Makar is quickly becoming the most overrated player on these boards ….

 

[Jugitsu]

Kirill Kaprizov’s edge work and agility is something to behold.

 

[apocalypse]

Mackinnon. Byfield has excellent wheels as well.

 

[MrKabukiman]

Makar, currently.

My personal favorite (in my lifetime) was Federov. He was one of the first forwards to slide to defense on the power play that I could remember.

 

[Devils Army]

Along side Hughes I'd put Jesper Bratt right near him

 

[Chips]

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.

Makar.

Makar

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

McDavid and Makar

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.

just in case anyone wasn’t sure about makar







There’s better examples, those are just the easiest two I could find because they were saved; like that one of him breaking the Wild players ankles, he moves laterally better than almost anyone, he changes directions so well; he’s buttery and slips by hits along the offensive boards, and can move all the way up the ice then circle the entire offensive zone 5 times as well as any forward


Which reminds me of Kaprizov. He deserves to be in the convo

 

[blankall]

Quinn Hughes. It's pretty crazy what he accomplished at his size, and it's all due to his skating abilities.

 

[jetsforever]

Chabot looks smooth and effortless when he skates.

Read that as Chiarot at first

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

Quinn Hughes. It's pretty crazy what he accomplished at his size, and it's all due to his skating abilities.

How small do you think he is? He’s like 5’11

 

[blankall]

How small do you think he is? He’s like 5’11

He's listed at 5'10'', which probably means he's 5'9''max. That's pretty small for a dman. I've seen him live many times, and he looks very small in person.

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

He's listed at 5'10'', which probably means he's 5'9''max. That's pretty small for a dman. I've seen him live many times, and he looks very small in person.

No he doesn’t? I’m 6’0 and when he stood beside me and in our pictures he’s basically the exact same size. He’s definitely 5’10 or ‘11.
His lower Center of gravity may make it appear that way on tv though.

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

A whole lot of lack of Mat Barzal in this thread.

 

[Chinaski89]

Joe Pavelski

 

[El Travo]

Makar is quickly becoming the most overrated player on these boards ….

Would you like to explain how he's not a good skater or are you just being a contrarian?