Sidney Crosby Wins NHLPA Vote, ‘Most Complete Player,’ & More

Even the National Hockey League players are looking for ways to pass the time while we’re all homebound due to our archnemesis coronavirus (COVID-19). On Tuesday morning, the NHL Players Association released a poll of players which spoke very well of Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.

The debate has percolated for the past few seasons, who is better, Crosby or the Edmonton Oilers wunderkind Connor McDavid. Players take a different view than the fan debate. The NHLPA voted on the “most complete player.”

To no surprise, Sidney Crosby ran away with the vote.

Crosby received 45% of the vote for “the most complete player” and 44% of the vote for “the player (any position) you would want on your team if you needed to win one game.” Patrice Bergeron was second in “the most complete player” voting.

Crosby has done pretty well in big games over his career, including three Stanley Cups and a Golden Goal to his credit.

And in a lighthearted vote, the players also selected Sidney Crosby as the player who isn’t but should be on social media. He picked up 26% of those votes. It could be noted, Crosby admitted he had a burner account several years ago, but quickly realized he didn’t like seeing much of the discussion about him.

Crosby didn’t win the best forward vote, though. He finished second to McDavid. Crosby only got 15% of the vote, but perhaps Crosby couldn’t hear the results with those Stanley Cup rings in his ears (stick tap Patrick Roy for the classic line).

You can view the entire poll here. 

Other Pittsburgh Penguins fared well in the voting, too:

Penguins owner Mario Lemieux was a disappointing third place in the poll of players past and present that current NHL players would pay to see play. Lemieux only got 9.5% of the vote, but we’ll forgive the players. Lemieux never got his just deserves in the hockey world.

Wayne Gretzky and Bobby Orr were ahead of Mario.

Former Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury received 9% and was third place in the “best goalie,” voting.

Justin Schultz was third when players voted who was the best golfer. Schultz garnered 4.1% of player votes. 

And when asked which arena has the best visitors dressing room, players voted PPG Paints Arena in fourth place.