
Hockey is one of the fastest, most exciting sports in North America. Becoming a successful NHL player requires a combination of speed, skill, agility, and toughness. That's why top NHL picks today feature players with these unique skill sets. The following list highlights the top four NHL players' singular talents.
Connor McDavid
Connor McDavid is the captain of the Edmonton Oilers. Although originally born in Richmond Hill, Ontario, he is a cultural icon in Edmonton. McDavid is regarded as one of the most talented and skilled players in the NHL and has earned numerous accolades for his on-ice performance.
He was the first overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and has since won the Art Ross Trophy four times as the league's leading scorer, as well as the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player. McDavid has also represented Canada in international competitions, including at the 2016 IIHF World Championships and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
In addition, he is known for his exceptional speed, agility, and playmaking abilities. He is considered by many to be the face of the NHL's next generation of superstars.
Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews is the franchise center for the Toronto Maple Leafs. While he is the face of Canada's most iconic franchise, he was born in California and raised in Arizona. Matthews was the first overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and, since that arrival, has become one of the most formidable players in the league.
He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year in his first season and has been named to the NHL All-Star Team multiple times. He won the Rocket Richard Trophy in 2022 after scoring 60 goals.
Matthews is known for his elite goal-scoring ability, as well as his speed, skill, and vision on the ice. He has helped lead the Maple Leafs to a number of playoff appearances and is considered one of the team's all-time greats. Matthews has also represented the U.S. in international contests, including at the 2016 IIHF World Championships and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby currently serves as the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest hockey players of all time. He has earned numerous awards for his on-ice performance. He has won three Stanley Cup championships with the Penguins, as well as two Olympic gold medals with the Canadian national team.
Crosby has also won numerous individual awards, including two Hart Memorial Trophies as the NHL's MVP, two Art Ross Trophies for his superior scoring ability and two Conn Smythe Trophies as an MVP of the NHL playoffs.
Crosby is known for his exceptional skill, leadership, and work ethic on the ice, as well as his dedication to improving his game. He has been praised for his ability to make his teammates better. He is considered one of the greatest team players in NHL history.
Alexander Ovechkin
Alexander Ovechkin hails from Russia and currently plays as captain of the Washington Capitals. He is consistently regarded as one of the greatest goal-scorers in NHL history and has received numerous acknowledgments for his on-ice performance.
Ovechkin has won three Hart Memorial Trophies as the NHL's Most Valuable Player, ten Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophies as the league's leading goal-scorer, and one Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the NHL playoffs.
He has also helped lead the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018, scoring 15 goals and 12 assists during the playoffs. The hockey phenom is known for his powerful shot, physical play, and leadership on the ice.
Ovechkin has represented Russia in international competitions and has won numerous medals, including three gold medals at the IIHF World Championships and one gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics. He is considered one of the greatest Russian hockey players of all time.