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Best of the Best 2019-20

Best of the Best 2019-20

The Hockey News' Best Of The Best Issue is available now. In our cover story, we break down the very best of the hockey world in 25 categories, from best slapshot to best trash talker. Also in the issue: features on Nikita Kucherov and Torey Krug, plus the best-kept secret for each of the 31 NHL teams, a how-to guide on skating like a superstar and an oral history of the film Mystery, Alaska, 20 years after its release.

Best Of The Best

Best DEKER

NATHAN MACKINNON | COLORADO HE MAY NEVER be able to top the moves he put on Henrik Lundqvist at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, but few players in the history of the game will ever one-up that display. The funny thing is, MacKinnon wasn’t even moving very fast on that sequence because he was already in the offensive zone. But when it comes to making goalies miss, MacKinnon’s speed makes him deadly when he dekes. “It’s just how fast his hands are and the way he skates and cuts back,” said one NHLer. “When he makes a move, goalies fall for it.”…

Best Of The Best

Best PENALTY BAITER

MATTHEW TKACHUK | CALGARY “IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY shift there could be a penalty called,” said one NHL player, “whether it’s a trip or something in front of the net.” Though Tkachuk is only entering his fourth NHL season, he already has a reputation as a shift disturber who can bait opponents into bad decisions. Last year, the Flames left winger drew 29 minors. Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher is a longtime favorite in this category, too. “He plays so hard, and he falls down a lot,” said another NHLer. “So he puts a lot of guys in the box.” Many elite players are also good at drawing penalties because of their skill set. McDavid got a vote because of that prowess. “Because he’s so fast,” said an ex-NHLer. “And he’s also nice…

Best Of The Best

Best BUTTERFLY

CAREY PRICE | MONTREAL WHEN IT COMES TO the technical fundamentals of the butterfly style, Price reigns over the category. His combination of proficiency and size go a long way in explaining his career success. Chicago’s Corey Crawford was also mentioned by one goalie coach.…

Best Of The Best

Best TRASH TALKER

BRAD MARCHAND | BOSTON CATCH MARCHAND WITH A MICROPHONE on him and you’re likely to get a mixture of the profane and, admittedly, the funny. From non-stop chattering to cutting remarks (“How are you in the league, are 10 guys hurt right now?” is a particularly good one), the Bruins left winger is renowned for his trash-talking ability. So what distinguishes Marchand from some of the other champion chirpers in the game? “He can talk with the best of them, and he’ll back it up,” said one NHLer. “Like, 100 points? You can say whatever you want.” Indeed, Marchand is coming off his first century mark for points and, given he’s once again playing on the best line in hockey with Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak, there’s no reason to doubt…