NHL Players Poll

CBC Sports and the NHLPA ran a players poll. The results are here.

Always interesting to get a player's perspective. A few observations:

Crosby

He's public enemy number one in Philly, and a some Flyers fans like to delude themselves about how he is an overrated diver who isn't respected around the league.

Crosby placed first or second in the following votes;

-Toughest forward to play against

-Active player you'd like to start a franchise with (69% of vote!)

-As a goalie, who is the most difficult to stop (2nd)

-Toughest to play against (overall)

-Hardest to take puck off of (2nd)

-Smartest player

-Best skater (2nd)

That is no joke folks.

Flyers-related

-The Flyers came in 5th as the most overrated team with 4% of the vote. :(

-Chris Pronger came in 3rd as toughest defensemen to play against. Chara, Lidstrom and Pronger were out ahead of the pack in this category.

-The Flyers did not place in the top 5 of teams you'd like to play on. Surely there are myriad of factors here (management, ownership, fan base, rink, consistency, city), but it always appeared to me the Flyers were attractive target for free agents because their fan base, desire to win, and consistency.

Other

-Dan Bylsma number one list of 'coaches you'd like to play for.' Wow, didn't see that one coming.

-Mike Babcock got 2nd on 'coaches you'd like to play for' list, and second on 'which coach demands the most of his players.' Taken together that's pretty high praise I think.

-'Should fighting be banished'-- 98% no. 'Should instigator rule be abolished'--66% no. Nothing's changing there I think.

-Montreal's rink was the runaway winner in favorite arena to play in, despite being number 2 in having the worst boards/glass. Must be the buzz in the crowd.

-'Best referee'? Winner--none, 15%. Figures.