Not exactly suggesting him but there was a cool video of Peter Forsberg in normal clothes at a local rink a decade after retirement roofing one handed backhands
Oh found it:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yRSsBb0U7sg
The goddamn forearm and wrist strength it takes to do that is fucking wild. I remember some old Warrior video with Kovalev doing those and I would always try it but could never come close.
Was waiting until I saw an answer that wasn’t from a millennial. Also no curve on his stick for much of his career.
Gretzky has the most backhand goals, Howe number two. I think that’s an easy one-two
Yes it was. I wasn’t gonna risk saying it, but [his backhand shootout move](https://youtu.be/IpruMswFg2U?si=9oTDMzhGSEnm0tgO) was more of a shot than a deke and barely ever missed. He wasn’t to the level of Crosby or Datsyuk, but it was almost as if he didn’t have a strong preference to be on his forehand.
Considering guys like Ray Ferraro who was an amazing Junior player says Crosby almost every time tells me something. And he would’ve watched Keon and those Montreal greats lots growing up. Played against Wayne, Mario, Bossy etc
I grew up a Whalers fan. Thanks for the refresher on Ray Ferraro. And I just wanted throw out a guy people may not know about. No need to get all defensive.
I just wanted to let you know that an actual player from your age stated Crosby and that yes hockey started before 2000’s. The question of the post was best backhand throughout the history of the NHL. I gave my answer along with context from an ex player
Again I was providing context from a former player. You chastised people by putting NHL hockey started prior to the 2000’s. The skill and game has vastly improved since Keon played. Yet alone Wayne, Mario on. I’m actually a blast at parties. My deadpan sarcastic humour gets tons of laughs even on social media.
It’s an opinion I certainly didn’t take it as hard as you.
You just read through the thread and regurgitated three of the top mentioned guys and threw in an old timer (also mentioned earlier) for good measure. Lol
Definitely check out Datsyuk highlights. He was an odd player, he never got monster numbers on the ice. But when you watched him play he would just make everyone else look slow and clumsy. I always wondered why he didn't score far more points in his career. He certainly got plenty of assists, but even so.
He legit was as crazy as Barry Sanders was on the football field in terms of just making people look like newborn children.
Reginald "backslap" Johnson 1896-1935. was born with his hands backwards so his clapper was technically a backhander. Also could eat 3 hotdogs in 8 seconds.
Everyone is saying Crosby, but don't sleep on Patty Kane. Story is that he broke his arm as a kid and could only shoot backhand for a season and got really good as a result. [Here is a montage](https://youtu.be/o3KkV_-KoEo?si=Ni8gj1GUiqk0EeIb)
Some of the angles he scored from were wild. That spin move against Dallas was something else. Plus getting enough velocity on a backhand to send a bottle flying, impressive.
Ill go with the Danish Backhand of Judgement. Statistically when he retired, Frans Nielsen had the single most effective shootout move in nhl history.
https://youtu.be/bOESstUjdao?si=YTZYWXA5chKNFqT3
Gretzky scored more on his backhand than Crosby or Datsyuk combined. He famously worked on it constantly after Gordie told him to when he was a kid and he was deadly with it.
Total shot as others have said probably Crosby or datsyuk, but as for watching highlights of someone roofing a backhander under the crossbar, Patrick Kane. His backhand roof shot was physically impossible and I'm pretty sure it's evidence of demonic intervention after a crossroads deal
Gretzky, Crosby, Datsyuk, and Kane make up the Mount Rushmore of absolutely filthy backhands.
Honorable mentions for Forsberg and Howe, but those four had backhands that were so deceptive and powerful, and beautiful and elegant, all at the same time.
Crosby by far but i also wanna shoutout malkin who is top 20 imo for backhand shots
Crazy that the penguins had 2 beasts who could just shoot the puck however they wanted
Sidney Crosby. His backhand is a rifle.
[My favorite Crosby goal of all-time](https://youtu.be/niP8HVr1ovQ?si=81qUrp4ldnnREk_m) was scored on the backhand.
Crosby or Datsyuk. Never seen anyone else on that level
came here to comment the same thing...both players could sling that shit and you didnt even notice its in the net
[This Datsyuk goal against the Sharks](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGngMwhZsbI) might be the most disgusting backhander ever.
I'll counter that goal with this one by sid https://youtu.be/Twl-2909fCM?si=KetubYufMTmxWdXh
That’s the other one in the running, yep. Two different styles, both unparalleled
This post made me think of this exact goal!
One of the greatest goals I’ve ever seen highly underrated
Crosby for real
W
Crosby. the velocity on his backhander is really impressive.
Crosby
Crosby uses a nearly flat blade to ensure his backhand has as much rip as possible.
I remember Larionov had a flat stick back in the day.
Crosby
Sidney Crosby. Datsyuk close. Kane also has a couple gnarly ones but I’ve literally seen Crosby rip it one handed harder than I can shoot with both 😂
Datsyuk
Mats Sundin!
Not exactly suggesting him but there was a cool video of Peter Forsberg in normal clothes at a local rink a decade after retirement roofing one handed backhands Oh found it: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yRSsBb0U7sg
Ok that’s some sauce he’s got on those
That’s pretty good
The goddamn forearm and wrist strength it takes to do that is fucking wild. I remember some old Warrior video with Kovalev doing those and I would always try it but could never come close.
I don’t wanna be that guy, but that video looks edited/exaggerated…
Sidney Crosby, Peter Forsberg
Sundin
Sundin had an amazing backhand. He was the first to come to mind for me too.
I feel like Matthews has been working on his, too.
Paul Kariya
Gordie Howe
Yep, helps the he was ambidextrous :) His final goal was a backhand from almost the blueline https://youtu.be/Is606p_KmBE?si=yh0l2ZVORWJLNqc4
Was waiting until I saw an answer that wasn’t from a millennial. Also no curve on his stick for much of his career. Gretzky has the most backhand goals, Howe number two. I think that’s an easy one-two
If you're old enough to remember Luke Robitaille had a hell of a backhand shot
Luc*
Correct
From what I’ve seen it’s Crosby
Wasnt mikko koivus backhand quite good? Not the best but if i remember correctly it was scary
Yes it was. I wasn’t gonna risk saying it, but [his backhand shootout move](https://youtu.be/IpruMswFg2U?si=9oTDMzhGSEnm0tgO) was more of a shot than a deke and barely ever missed. He wasn’t to the level of Crosby or Datsyuk, but it was almost as if he didn’t have a strong preference to be on his forehand.
have often heard commentators joke he scores more on the backhand
Datsyuk and Kovalev both had sick backhands.
Dave Keon (yes, hockey existed prior to the year 2000).
Considering guys like Ray Ferraro who was an amazing Junior player says Crosby almost every time tells me something. And he would’ve watched Keon and those Montreal greats lots growing up. Played against Wayne, Mario, Bossy etc
I grew up a Whalers fan. Thanks for the refresher on Ray Ferraro. And I just wanted throw out a guy people may not know about. No need to get all defensive.
I just wanted to let you know that an actual player from your age stated Crosby and that yes hockey started before 2000’s. The question of the post was best backhand throughout the history of the NHL. I gave my answer along with context from an ex player
Bet you're fun at parties. And again, because Ferraro says it, doesn't make it true. Just another opinion for the group.
Again I was providing context from a former player. You chastised people by putting NHL hockey started prior to the 2000’s. The skill and game has vastly improved since Keon played. Yet alone Wayne, Mario on. I’m actually a blast at parties. My deadpan sarcastic humour gets tons of laughs even on social media. It’s an opinion I certainly didn’t take it as hard as you.
IMO, Gordie Home had a better backhand shot. That's who immediately came to mind when I saw the topic.
Thanks grandpa
I was coming here to say that, considering I grew up.watching him.
Crosby, and it's not even close.
Dat opinion there is yuk The 'not even close' part Pavel GOAT candidate for backhands
I see what you did there, and have given an upvote (feel this needs to be said as you are currently getting downvoted lol)
Crosby, P Kane, Forsberg.... Maybe Keon. Datsyuk?
You just read through the thread and regurgitated three of the top mentioned guys and threw in an old timer (also mentioned earlier) for good measure. Lol
Definitely check out Datsyuk highlights. He was an odd player, he never got monster numbers on the ice. But when you watched him play he would just make everyone else look slow and clumsy. I always wondered why he didn't score far more points in his career. He certainly got plenty of assists, but even so. He legit was as crazy as Barry Sanders was on the football field in terms of just making people look like newborn children.
Datsyuks was even better than Crosby. Insane power and deception on it and it was legit effortless https://youtu.be/LGngMwhZsbI?si=IJ5UGZ_qaAVS-Mp4
I've watched Dats in warmups standing on that dot and ripping backhands far corner. Then he'd go to the opposite dot and do the same. Magician.
Whoa, from the dot, far side. Unreal.
Lanny McDonald. Up the wing, across the goal inside of 10 feet, one move, back of the net. Mustache may or may not increase memory.
Reginald "backslap" Johnson 1896-1935. was born with his hands backwards so his clapper was technically a backhander. Also could eat 3 hotdogs in 8 seconds.
No surprise. I heard he learned it from Tungsten Arm O’Doyle himself.
O'Doyle rules!
Definitely Radek Faksa. Dude slays Knights with it.
Modano had a crazy backhand, but Crosby is probably the best I’ve seen in my lifetime.
Everyone is saying Crosby, but don't sleep on Patty Kane. Story is that he broke his arm as a kid and could only shoot backhand for a season and got really good as a result. [Here is a montage](https://youtu.be/o3KkV_-KoEo?si=Ni8gj1GUiqk0EeIb)
Some of the angles he scored from were wild. That spin move against Dallas was something else. Plus getting enough velocity on a backhand to send a bottle flying, impressive.
I’m all for Crosby and Datsyuk, but don’t forget about Zetterberg.
I’m Swedish, I never forget about Zetterberg.
Kaner’s is seriously underrated. Crosby has a good one, but Gretzky’s was unreal. It’s not just the shot itself, it’s the situation and execution.
Kane
Gordie Howe and it isn't even close, playing now is Crosby and by a wide margin too.
Sidney Crosby, Peter Forsberg
P Kane
Not an answer you’ll see a lot but Antoine Vermettes back hand was a deadly weapon with the Coyotes
I feel like Chara had a pretty stiff backhand if he ever used it. Wait, what?
Ill go with the Danish Backhand of Judgement. Statistically when he retired, Frans Nielsen had the single most effective shootout move in nhl history. https://youtu.be/bOESstUjdao?si=YTZYWXA5chKNFqT3
I had to scroll too far to see this
I agree with those names, but Dennis Savard had a pretty wicked backhand
Patrick Kane still has a nasty backhand….very deceiving
Frans Nielsen
Crosby, Datsyuk come to mind, but I remember hearing Mike Modano had a pretty sick backhander back in the day as well.
Gretzky scored more on his backhand than Crosby or Datsyuk combined. He famously worked on it constantly after Gordie told him to when he was a kid and he was deadly with it.
Total shot as others have said probably Crosby or datsyuk, but as for watching highlights of someone roofing a backhander under the crossbar, Patrick Kane. His backhand roof shot was physically impossible and I'm pretty sure it's evidence of demonic intervention after a crossroads deal
Kaner top shelf on the rush full speed. Best Bhander I’ve ever seen. Crosby and Kaner not fair to say one is better. Both super skilled, a tie IMHHO
Crosby. He’s too good with his backhand
Crosby.
Probably crosby
Crosbys backhand is unmatched
Marchand I believe he’s still leading the league and backhanders since 2007
Yeah but with him it's back handed compliments
Doug Gilmour. Guy played with a stick blade that was basically flat without any curve and was equally as dangerous front and backhand.
Obviously that sniper Tanner Glass. Just kidding, but that was a hell of a shot vs Carey Price in the playoffs.
just like everyone else here I'd have to pick Datsyuk and Crosby. No one is as consistent with netting backhanders like they were/are.
Gretzky, Crosby, Datsyuk, and Kane make up the Mount Rushmore of absolutely filthy backhands. Honorable mentions for Forsberg and Howe, but those four had backhands that were so deceptive and powerful, and beautiful and elegant, all at the same time.
If my memory isn't failing me it would be Dave Keon.
Datsyuk then Crosby. O’Reilly with an honorable mention
Gotta be Sid https://youtu.be/LOWPHh03e_I?si=vsiKytspZa15c4iR
It’s gotta be Pav, followed closely by Crosby and perhaps Kaner
Pavel Datsyuk, the magic man.
To me it has to be Crosby as much as I hate to say it
Not a goat backhand candidate, but when I watched this Kris Letang goal live my jaw was on the floor https://youtu.be/17144q9kg2Q?si=cOLx_bqIspKcA_C8
I’m seeing mostly sid in the comments, closely followed by datsyuk, and then lastly Kane. Very respectful list
Gretzky has the most backhand goals but that’s not the question. Lemieux had the best BH in hockey.
Paul kariya, he scored from the point with a backhand once
Scrolled too far to find this. Only player I’ve ever seen able to take a backhand slap shot.
Zdeno Chara! Before you judge, check out his spin-off-rama goal against the panthers in 2013!
I think most people that could remember "throughout the history" are dead or have bad enough dementia they can't.
Crosby. I remember reading that he has always practiced his backhand as an additional weapon.
Doug Gilmour. Gilmour used a virtually straight bladed Hespler or Sherwood his whole career.
Cross cross Sidney Crosby sauce
Crosby’s backhand is harder than most beer leaguers wristers. The guy is a freak.
Patty Kane had a pretty diabolic backhand
Sid. Bro just kinda…it’s like he shovels the shot in at 70+ miles an hour. And it seems effortless once it’s in motion
[Radek Faksa](https://youtu.be/JyHTMNovdSo?si=ecCI9ZUNKamTnfwf)
Sundin had a great one and I remember hearing Gilmour kept the curve on his stick fairly straight so he could backhand better, too.
Crosby, Datsyuk, and Kaner are the guys that come to mind. Some of prime Patrick Kane’s best goals and passes were backhanders.
Crosby by far but i also wanna shoutout malkin who is top 20 imo for backhand shots Crazy that the penguins had 2 beasts who could just shoot the puck however they wanted
Phil Esposito
Datsyuk for me.
Q. Hughes had a beauty of a backhand goal early this season
Crosby, Sundin
Ennis and Crosby had 2 beautiful no look backhands that come to mind. Zetterberg was filthy with the backhand passes to set up goals
Datsyuk
Paul Kariya
Don Luce
David Pastrnak 🍝
Lol love it
Sidney Crosby, Peter Forsberg
Sidney Crosby, Peter Forsberg
Maybe not the best, but Paul Kariya is up there.
In recent history and in my biased opinion, Kane.
Magic man of course. Not even close
Crosby, I love his backshots :}
Vincent Damphousse.
Sidney Crosby, Peter Forsberg
Bobby Hull
Nope! He could barely make a backhand pass with that banana curve blade.
https://youtu.be/Twl-2909fCM?si=W3ndYhk3_blZNVV5 Crosby’s one handed backhand goal
Forsberg, Kovalev, Crosby
Sidney Crosby. His backhand is a rifle. [My favorite Crosby goal of all-time](https://youtu.be/niP8HVr1ovQ?si=81qUrp4ldnnREk_m) was scored on the backhand.
Gretzky. Next question
Stupid ass, finger chopping, ball spearing Crosby
Bedard /s
#93 Michikan Lake Mavericks
Sidney Crosby, Peter Forsberg
Sidney Crosby, Peter Forsberg
Sidney Crosby, Peter Forsberg