(Toronto) Connor McDavid helped the NHL revamp its skills competition.
Then, the Edmonton Oilers captain participated in the events and won the $1 million prize at stake on Friday.
McDavid won the fastest skater, puck handling, most accurate shot and obstacle course events.
“I found it entertaining,” McDavid said. It became competitive at one point. It was breathless. The players gave themselves and wanted to put on a good show. I think that’s what we did. »
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar finished second. David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins), Nathan MacKinnon (Avalanche), Leon Draisaitl (Oilers), Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning), Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), William Nylander (Maple Leafs), Elias Pettersson (Canucks Vancouver), Mathew Barzal (New York Islanders), JT Miller (Canucks) and Quinn Hughes (Canucks) also participated in Friday’s events.
PHOTO NATHAN DENETTE, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Cale Makar
The 12 players competed in four of the first six events: fastest skater, strongest shot, puck handling, one-timers and most accurate shot.
Points were awarded to players according to their ranking in the event. The eight best continued and participated in the breakaway duel, against the goalkeepers present for Saturday’s all-star game.
Two other players were eliminated before the final obstacle course event.
PHOTO JOHN E. SOKOLOWSKI, USA TODAY SPORTS
Leon Draisaitl and Sidney Crosby
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, as well as Chicago Blackhawks first overall pick Connor Bedard were on the ice for the event.
The latter were responsible for making the passes during the one-timer event.
McDavid won the fastest skater event for the fourth time. He finished his lap of the ice in a time of 13,408 seconds, ahead of Barzal, who clocked 13,519 seconds.
MacKinnon won the new one-timer event, in which points were awarded when the puck entered the net and the section it entered.
PHOTO FRANK GUNN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Elias Pettersson
Pettersson won the passing challenge, while Makar won the most powerful shot with a shot at 165.05 km/h.
McDavid won the puck handling stage in a time of 25,755 seconds. He then wowed the crowd with the most accurate shot, hitting all four targets in four shots, in just 9.158 seconds.
McDavid, Makar, Barzal, Pettersson, Matthews, Miller, MacKinnon and Nylander continued the adventure for the breakaway duel.
Petterson and MacKinnon were eliminated, and McDavid then picked up the million check by winning the obstacle course with a time of 40.606 seconds.
“He’s a special player,” Matthews said. He’s at the top. I don’t think anyone would be surprised that he walked away with first place and the prize. »