The 15 Smartest Players in the NHL

Hockey intelligence is so important to a player's success on the ice at all levels of the sport, especially in the NHL.

Being smarter than your opponent helps you think a couple steps ahead and allows you to make decisions quickly and not stall in key moments of games.

Let's look at the smartest players in the NHL.

Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby has the hockey intelligence that is rarely seen in today's game. His ability to read situations is simply amazing, and he always knows where the puck is being passed before he even gets it.

One of the primary reasons he's such a great playmaker is because of his hockey smarts.

George Parros

George Parros is one of the few players in the NHL that has attended an Ivy League school. Parros attended Princeton University in New Jersey.

He certainly doesn't fit the mold of a typical NHL enforcer and tough guy.

Pavel Datsyuk

Pavel Datsyuk's intelligence is on full display when he's in the offensive zone creating goals and scoring them with brilliant moves, and in the defensive zone when he tricks opponents and steals the puck out of nowhere.

His hockey smarts allow him to be a great defensive forward.

Henrik Sedin

Henrik Sedin is one of the smartest players in the NHL and this is very evident when you watch his amazing passes on the Vancouver Canucks. His ability to read defensive schemes and set up teammates with goal-scoring chances is remarkable.

This is why Sedin is always near the top of the assists leader board.

Martin St. Louis

Martin St. Louis is still one of the best offensive players in hockey—even at 37 years old—because he plays the game in such an intelligent way.

He's a very reliable player in that he is well positioned and knows when to use his speed.

Chris Higgins

Vancouver Canucks forward Chris Higgins was an All-American hockey player at Yale, which, of course, is an Ivy League school.

Jonathan Toews

Jonathan Toews' hockey intelligence helps make him one of the best two-way forwards in the NHL. Being smart also helps him be one of the best captains and leaders hockey has.

Claude Giroux

Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux was able to raise his game to a superstar level this season because his hockey smarts and natural ability were able to mesh perfectly.

His ability to manage the Flyers offense all year with amazing passing skills and leadership was quite impressive for a young player.

Brad Richards

Brad Richards' hockey smarts and experience were major reasons why the New York Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference finals this season.

Richards knows where to be on the ice and where to play the puck in every situation. His intelligence is an underrated part of his game.

Zdeno Chara

Size and strength are great traits to have, but if you don't know how and when to use them, you won't be effective.

Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara is one of the best players in hockey because he's always well positioned and he understands how to take away opposing team's strengths.

Dominic Moore

Dominic Moore's intelligence and leadership qualities have made him a targeted player at several trade deadlines for teams with Stanley Cup dreams.

He also played college hockey for the Harvard Crimson.

Jeff Halpern

Jeff Halpern has been a pretty good player throughout his career for teams like the Washington Capitals, Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens.

He also went to Princeton.

Louis Leblanc

Montreal Canadiens forward prospect Louis Leblanc is one of the smartest young players in hockey. He attended Harvard before making the jump to the NHL.

Shawn Horcoff

Shawn Horcoff was disappointing this season for the Edmonton Oilers, but he is an intelligent player on and off the ice.

He graduated from Michigan State.

Special Mention: Nicklas Lidstom

Even though he just retired, I felt that including Nicklas Lidstrom on a list such as this was necessary.

The former Detroit Red Wings star is one of the smartest players in hockey history. He used his smarts to keep playing at an elite level as he got older and his athletic ability started to diminish.