Who is the greatest stickhandler of all time?

[More 2004]

I went with the wizard Kovalev dude used sorcery

 

[Bouboumaster]

Went with Kovalev because the shit he was able to do is unreal.

Datsyuk is 2nd. On pure skills, Kovalev was the best but Datsyuk was also effective AF with his stuff.

Kane is in a tier of his own, far behind the first two and far above everyone else

 

[deca guard]

#13 THE RUSSIAN FOX

 

[Kshahdoo]

Makarov had the best combination of stickhandling and skating. The best dangler ever.

 

[BlueMed]

Kovalev and I don't think it's that close even between him and Datsyuk. But Pavel was the most effective in putting his advanced skills to use.

Yup. Not even close. Not even remotely close. I don't even know why Datsyuk is considered one of the most skilled players of all time. He shouldn't have even made the NHL. Not even close. Am I doing it right?

No, dude. It was close. Kovalev had incredibly fast hands, but the way Datsyuk handled the puck and baited his opponents using his skating and body language made him a pioneer.

 

[BlueMed]

Went with Kovalev because the shit he was able to do is unreal.

Datsyuk is 2nd. On pure skills, Kovalev was the best but Datsyuk was also effective AF with his stuff.

Kane is in a tier of his own, far behind the first two and far above everyone else

Your ranking isn't grossly wrong, but Patrick Kane's stickhandling isn't "far behind" anyone's. I wish people on this forum would stop being hyperbolic about everything. It's the worst part about hfboards, and it's actually not even close.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

It's a toss-up between Kovalev and Datsyuk.

I'd lean towards Datsyuk just because his execution was more consistent and purposeful. Kovalev was just a creative stickhandler that had the audacity to pull off crazy things on the ice.

Datsyuk was more well-rounded with his stickhandling while still having the highlight-reel charm. This gives him the edge for me.

 

[MessierII]

Kovalev is the best.

 

[Albatros]

Yup. Not even close. Not even remotely close. I don't even know why Datsyuk is considered one of the most skilled players of all time. He shouldn't have even made the NHL. Not even close. Am I doing it right?

No, dude. It was close. Kovalev had incredibly fast hands, but the way Datsyuk handled the puck and baited his opponents using his skating and body language made him a pioneer.

If you wish to consider such attributes I'd include Kent Nilsson.

 

[EdmFlyersfan]

Savard

 

[The Kingslayer]

Viktor Kozlov

 

[Offtheboard412]

Datsyuk. McDavid is right there though. I know someone's gonna say something like "it's actually his skating that makes his hands look impressive" but that's not true. He has hands down the fastest hands I've ever seen. I thought Kane had quick hands but McDavid is operating at a whole different speed than anyone else.

 

[LarKing]

Datsyuk’s hands were elevated by his IQ and body language in a way I’ve never seen before. Even 10 years into his career he would show us things we’d never seen on a nightly basis. We were truly spoiled as Wings fans back then.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Kovalev

 

[EdJovanovski]

1. Kovalev
2. Datsyuk
3. Kane

Panarin got robbed not being in the poll though, he is easily a better stick handler than nearly every active player on that list.

 

[SotasicA]

It's Kovalev, but where is Linus Omark? I'd have him right up there with him.

Also a nice reminder that sick hands alone don't make you a great hockey player.

 

[BudBundy]

If you are talking purely hands for stick handling, I voted Kane. Kent Nilsson is in the conversation. Datsyuk was crazy good too but a lot of that had to do with edges, as in lateral motion while stick handling. If you are talking best “dangler” then he might be #1. McDavid has probably the quickest hands I’ve ever seen and if he had to rely more on stick handling instead of using his speed and making a couple lightning moves before firing, he might be up there too.

 

[abo9]

Kovalev #1 to me for "pure hands".

Obviously Datsyuk was the more complete player, and his hands coupled with amazing skating abilities let him go through a defense like knife in butter.

Lot of darn good stickhandlers though. Kane comes to mind for best out of active players.

 

[DannyGallivan]

You can't pick just one. And some of the greatest of all time aren't even on the list - Jean Beliveau, Bobby Orr, Gilbert Perreault, Guy Lafleur (although Lafleur used speed and skating agility more often, he sure could dangle), and of course Denis Savard. Clearly, there aren't enough old forum members reading this poll.

My pick is Denis Savard. This goal didn't have a lot of stickhandling per se, but this gives me an excuse to show it again

 

[kook10]

 

[Garthinater]

check out some tim connoly highlights if you get the opportunity

Very underrated player.

 

[blundluntman]

Obvious toss up between Datsyuk and Kovalev. Datsyuk is the craftier of the two, but Kovalev just looks so much more effortless. I take Datsyuk bc he seems to get more out of his skillset

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

Jagr wasn't the flashiest but he could stick handle in a phone booth when he needed to, if I may use a cliche.

 

[57special]

Beliveau has to be on that list, and Perrault is better than some listed too. They didn't call Kent Nilsson "The Magic Man" for nothing. WTH is Ovi on there for?

Lemieux is probably my vote. His extraordinary reach, together with his skill, imagination, and overall talent give it to him. Kane and Datsuyk are probably the best of recent players. Surprised Barzal isn't on the list.

For those who weren't lucky enough to see him, Beliveau was essentially an old time version of Lemieux. Better two way player, less flashy, limited with his straight wooden stick, but had otherworldy backhand dangling, passing, and shooting skills. Same long reach that would bait defenders into committing, before making them look silly.

 

[Seanaconda]

Shout out to hemsky . Deke out the entire other team twice before he passed to the point skating in circles in the o zone