Mitch Marner graces himself with major compliment as other NHLers favor Sidney Crosby for title

Sidney Crosby was in the spotlight recently after a lighthearted NHL TikTok video sparked discussions. In the video, several players were asked to name the league's smartest player. The question focused on hockey IQ, a trait often linked to elite vision and decision-making.

Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki immediately named Sidney Crosby. Will Cuylle of the New York Rangers and Seth Jarvis of the Carolina Hurricanes also gave the same answer. Their responses highlighted the wide respect Crosby still carries across the league.

When it was Mitch Marner’s turn, he offered a different angle. Marner praised Aleksander Barkov as a strong choice, noting the Florida captain’s two-way excellence. He then added that he would include himself among the smartest players in hockey.

"There's a lot," Marner said. "Barkov's a good one. I'd like to throw myself in that opinion as well, a little bit."

Marner's comment drew attention, as players rarely place themselves in such conversations. Still, Marner’s confidence reflects how he views his strengths as a playmaker.

Marner has backed up that confidence with his performance in Las Vegas. After being traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade deal on July 1, he has started his first full season with the team by producing 21 points in 22 games. His 17 assists show his continued ability to read plays and create chances. Even with lower goal totals, his overall impact has remained strong.

Sidney Crosby is still on a point per game pace

Sidney Crosby, meanwhile, continues to build his legacy with another impressive season. Now in his 21st year, he has 23 points in 21 games and leads the Penguins with 13 goals. His ability to process the game at a high level has not faded.

This is evident in the fact that he has played at a point-per-game pace for 20 straight seasons. He has reached the 90-point mark in each of the last three seasons, even while playing on a team that has missed the playoffs consecutively.

Crosby remains the standard for hockey IQ among many NHL players. He has won three Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins as the team captain and has won multiple gold medals for Canada. His role in leading Canada to a win at the 2025 Four Nations Faceoff only added to his reputation.

The video offered a fun look at how players view the game. While Marner gave himself a nod, the majority still point to Crosby as the game’s sharpest mind.