Crosby Emerges as Top Coaching Prospect in NHLPA Poll; Nylander Named Most Fashionable

In a revealing glimpse into the minds of NHL players, Sidney Crosby has emerged as the frontrunner for a future head coaching role, according to the NHL Players’ Association’s annual player poll released Friday. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain, at 38 years old, garnered 10.3% of the votes, making it clear that his peers recognize his leadership potential. Following him were Minnesota’s Nick Foligno with 5%, and a trio of players—Detroit’s David Perron, Toronto’s John Tavares, and Calgary’s Ryan Strome—each receiving 2.6% or less.

This year marks the 11th iteration of the poll, which anonymously surveyed 348 players from all 32 teams during the first half of the season. The insights drawn from the poll offer a unique perspective on the league’s top talent beyond just their on-ice performance.

Another standout from the survey was Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, who was recognized for having the most intense training regimen, securing 20.7% of the votes. Edmonton’s Connor McDavid followed with 5.5%, while Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang rounded out the top three with 4%.

Off the ice, Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander shone brightly, being voted the most fashionable player with an impressive 32.9%. His social media presence also earned him accolades, ranking first in that category with 17.4%. Nylander’s playful nickname, “Willy Styles,” made the list of the league’s best, although it fell short of Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak’s popular moniker, “Pasta,” which claimed 13.5% of the votes.

In a nod to versatility, Florida’s Aleksander Barkov was recognized as the forward most likely to excel as a defenseman, receiving 18%, while Colorado’s Cale Makar led in the opposite category, with 36.3% of players believing he could thrive as a forward.

The poll also highlighted St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington, voted as the best puck handler with 22.4%, surpassing New York Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin, who received 14%. Additionally, Utah Mammoth captain Clayton Keller was named the league’s best golfer, capturing 15.9% of the votes.

On the arena front, Montreal’s Bell Centre was celebrated for having the best ice, winning with 46.8%, while Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena was voted as having the best visiting dressing room. As for the future of the league, players showed a preference for Houston as an expansion market at 34.3%, with Quebec City following at 16.9%. Interestingly, a significant majority, 68.1%, opposed the idea of teams switching to white jerseys at home.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.