The now-retired Patrice Bergeron was the NHL's ultimate two-way forward for years. Jacob Stoller digs into the stats to find the next five elite two-way skaters.
Up until his retirement last week, Patrice Bergeron was the gold standard of elite two-way hockey players.
Bergeron, an inevitable Hall of Fame inductee, won the Selke Trophy six times over his 19-year career. Two of those times came in the past two years, when Bergeron was an absolute dominant two-way force at 36 and 37 years old.
Over the past two seasons combined, Bergeron was elite at driving play at both ends during 5-on-5 play, finishing first among forwards (minimum 1,000 minutes) in Corsi-for percentage (62.7 percent), high-danger Corsi-for percentage (66.1 percent), expected goals-for percentage (66.1 percent), scoring chance-for percentage (64.6 percent) and goals-for percentage (68.8 percent). Bergeron — who recorded 123 points in his last 151 regular-season games — was also elite on the power play and penalty kill.
In essence, this is what an elite two-way player is — a first-line forward who can significantly affect the game in all situations. These players display exceptional hockey IQ, awareness and an equal effort to the offensive and defensive components of the game.
Will anyone else fit the role as well as Bergeron? Who knows, but here are five of the NHL's other elite two-way forwards.
Mark Stone, RW, Vegas Golden Knights
While today’s NHL is lauded for its speed, you can’t write off players who aren’t the fastest but have elite hockey IQ. Mark Stone is the epitome of that sentiment.
In any facet of the game, the captain of the 2023 Stanley Cup Champions is always one step ahead of his opponents, and it makes his lack of explosiveness a non-factor. Stone is exceptional at using his all-world passing ability to tee up teammates in prime scoring opportunities and drive play forward on breakouts, ranking sixth among NHL forwards in 5-on-5 scoring chance assists per 60 minutes (6.67) and 5-on-5 zone exits per 60 (11.88) last season, according to allthreezones.com.
Without the puck, Stone weaponizes his exceptional anticipation and awareness to eliminate passing lanes. Since the 2020-21 season, Stone ranks atop all NHL players who played at least 700 minutes in 5-on-5 takeaways per 60 minutes (4.01), according to naturalstattrick.com. Even after having two back surgeries in nine months, Stone wasn’t any less effective in this past spring's playoffs — where he recorded 24 points in 22 games and scored a hat trick in a cup-clinching Game 5.
Sebastian Aho, C, Carolina Hurricanes
Stylistically speaking, Sebastian Aho might be the closest thing we’ve seen to Pavel Datsyuk since the latter left the NHL. Alike 'The Magic Man,' Aho exhibits finesse in everything he does and executes difficult plays seamlessly.
The four-time 30-goal scorer's combination of raw skill — highlighted by his foot speed and a quick release on his shot — competitiveness and intelligence make him a premier all-situations player.
Offensively, he’s a puck-possession hound. During 5-on-5 play last season, Aho ranked 22nd in controlled entries per 60 minutes (14.84) and 17th in recovered dump-ins per 60 minutes (4.72) among forwards, according to All Three Zones.
Calling him a ‘shutdown’ center wouldn’t do him justice — as that’d underscore his 468 points in 520 career NHL games — but he’s fantastic defensively. Last season, Aho was one of the NHL’s best at suppressing scoring chances — surrendering the 15th least 5-on-5 scoring chances per 60 minutes (24.00) among forwards who played a minimum of 700 minutes, according to Natural Stat Trick.
It should come as no surprise that Aho has also established himself as a special teams ace, proving equally valuable on the penalty kill as he is on the power play.
Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
While it’s been 20 years since a winger won the Selke Trophy (Jere Lehtinen in 2003), there’s no better candidate than Mitch Marner to break that streak.
Marner is a true two-way ace who finished one point shy of 100 last season. For starters, he’s an elite playmaker. Since breaking into the league during the 2016-17 season, only Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Artemi Panarin have recorded more assists than Marner’s 386 career helpers. Last season, Marner generated the second most 5-on-5 scoring chance assists per 60 minutes (6.98) of any forward, per All Three Zones.
Marner is also among the NHL's best at helping his team transition from defending to attacking, recording the fourth-most 5-on-5 puck retrievals (8.56) and fifth-most 5-on-5 zone entries (26.58) per 60 minutes of any forward during the 2022-23 season.
In addition to being a thorough backchecker who competes all over the ice, Marner is exceptional at processing the game at top speed. That’s a big reason why he’s evolved into an elite penalty-killer. Since the 2020-21 season, Marner leads the NHL in penalty-kill takeaways (43) and sits in a four-way tie for second place in shorthanded points (11), according to Natural Stat Trick.
Alexander Barkov, C, Florida Panthers
If you asked a panel of scouts to create the ideal two-way center in a lab, the output would probably turn out a lot like Alexander Barkov.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound center possesses a rare quadruple threat skill set of size, skill, speed and smarts. If there’s one all-encompassing word that aptly describes his game, it’s power.
He’s truly a force to be reckoned with in every facet of the game. Dating back to the 2020-21 season, Barkov ranks ninth in points per game (1.21) and tied for 18th in 5-on-5 scoring chance-for percentage (58.11).
In addition to being among the NHL’s best at winning puck battles, blocking passes and making stick checks, the 2020-21 Selke Trophy winner is exceptional at transitioning defense into offense. Per All Three Zones, Barkov ranks first among forwards last season in 5-on-5 zone exits (13.26) and third in 5-on-5 retrievals leading to exits (8.47) per 60 minutes.
Since entering the NHL in the 2012-13 season, only seven forwards have logged more ice time per game than Barkov’s 20:09. He’s just a horse.
Nico Hischier, C, New Jersey Devils
With Bergeron now retired, all eyes are now on Hischier, who finished second in Selke voting last season, to carry the torch.
The 24-year-old center has high-end skill, but his sturdiness and all-around game really stick out on a star-studded Devils team. Last season was a coming-out party for Hischier, as the 2017 first overall pick recorded career highs in goals (31), assists (49) and points (80). He also ranked 11th in 5-on-5 expected goals-for percentage (59.79 percent) among forwards who played at least 700 minutes, according to Natural Stat Trick.
While Hischier jives well with the Devils’ run-and-gun style of play — ranking 18th among forwards in 5-on-5 controlled entries (15.11), per All Three Zones — he provides some much-needed sturdiness down the middle. He’s just as exceptional at disrupting opponents’ entries as he is generating them, recording the sixth most 5-on-5 entry denials per 60 minutes (1.76) last season.
Hischier was also solid in the faceoff dot, winning 53.9 percent of his draws in 2022-23, and he averaged 2:05 shorthanded minutes for the NHL’s fourth-best penalty kill while taking just five minor penalties all year.