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

[AvsFan29]

Can't believe nobody has said Makar yet. Edgework for days.

 

[FDBluth]

I haven't heard of Makar before this thread, is he worth checking out?

 

[Paul4587]

Makar. McDavid in terms of explosiveness and speed with the puck on his stick. But Makars edgework is something else.

 

[Stubu]

ok guys, this ain't funny any more. where's mah car?!

 

[dubplatepressure]

Pierre Engvall. Dude has probably the fastest wheels in the game (not the quickest stride or foot speed just straight line acceleration and speed). Absolutely nothing in the toolbox though.

 

[57special]

I'd go with Makar and McDavid. Barzal seems to be a titch less powerful. Don't watch enough of the NJD Hughes to comment beyond that he looks very, very good. Brodin has the Dman moves down, and is a superb skater...the only thing that limits him is his brain when he is in the offensive zone. I am not sure that there is a better backwards skater out there.

 

[TGWL]

(In no order the easy mentions) Barzal, Skinner, McDavid, Makar, Crosby, Letang (esp early on in his career), Kaprizov, Luke/Jack Hughes. Panarin is a fantastic skater who lacks the straight speed. McDonagh was an effortless skater when he entered the league. Point is an elite skater.

 

[TGWL]

Things like that always throw be off, Makar and Fox are supposedly about the same height but Makar always looks noticeably taller to me on the ice

I think Adam's height is a little generous. Typically in photos he looks on the shorter side compared to other players. Or maybe Makar just uses the CCM insoles to give that hi-lo pitch where his heels are higher up, but I think Fox is shorter than 5'11.

 

[missionAvs]

To me. This is McJesus and Makar.

 

[missionAvs]

I haven't heard of Makar before this thread, is he worth checking out?

He's alright I guess. Certainly not worth mentioning in this thread.

 

[Atoyot]

He's alright I guess. Certainly not worth mentioning in this thread.

Hence why nobody has.

 

[Pavels Dog]

A lot of good choices so far. The one name I would throw into the discussion is Makar.

 

[That Habs Fan]

Forget about this Makar bum, where's all the Benjamin Zachariah Chiarot love in this thread?

There's a reason he'll be traded for two 1sts and a 7th before the deadline.

 

[Esq]

Not Dylan Strome

 

[57special]

We can bring up all these great skaters as much as we like and it's all good. We can talk about skating and different aspects of it and who's good at what and shit.

Still the greatest skater ever in hockey is McDavid and it's not particularly close.

Never watched Bobby Orr, did you? The truth is, it's always very close amongst the top players. Mackinnon is a ridiculously fast, powerful, and skilled skater. If he is a lesser skater than McDavid, it's by a tiny hair.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

its McDavid , not close

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

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

those are some fudged numbers.

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

those are some fudged numbers.

No it’s not, I’ve met him and have photos beside him.

 

[katfude]

This thread is bananas. No one said Cale Makar? Absolutely dumbfounded.

 

[redandyellowcametobe]

Mcdavid can fly thru neutral zone like crazy and somehow stick handle in a phone booth and score. Top speed is unreal. Makar has the best edge work I’ve ever seen from an NHL player though. The way he can shake people off of him by turning his hips and transferring weight to explode in another direction. Both unbelievable skaters and clear 1 and 2 for me

 

[Norwegianoiler]

Joni Pitkänen, but not since the accident.

 

[DannyGallivan]

McDavid, Makar, Ehlers

 

[Vman]

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.

Sometimes I just watch Quinn skate and get excited. That must be the same with Devils fans and Jack.

 

[GeNeXt]

Barzal. The 58 second mark of this video sold me on wanting to draft him back in 2015. Of course this is junior highlights, but it just displays how effortlessly good his form is. Scary that he's even faster now.

 

[mattihp]

Makar and Chabot. Defensemen who skate well have amazing edgework due to the fashion in which they have to turn and switch directions.