20 NHL & NFL Player Comparisons

In my opinion, the best leagues in the world are the NHL & NFL. The two leagues are all about team building, and unlike other sports, if you are a team builder, you need to be more team-focused rather than individual-focused. We have seen for years now, that philosophy is how you win Stanley Cups or Super Bowls.

Of course, although the team is what is most important, there is no doubt that the individual players are the ones who sell the game to the fans. With that in mind, here are twenty players across both sports who I think are a good comparison to one another in both of these excellent leagues.

Connor McDavid & Patrick Mahomes

The two best players in their sport, and it is not close. It might be too early to call these two superstars the GOAT of their respective sports, but if they keep up this trajectory while winning championships, and putting up the numbers they currently are, we may have to revisit that conversation in due time.

Nathan MacKinnon & Lamar Jackson

Two of the fastest players in the league are human highlight reels. When playing their A-game they can go toe-to-toe with the league's best and will forever be top-tier contenders to take home league MVP honours every season as they try to lead their contending teams to championships.

Nikita Kucherov & Christian McCaffrey

Fantasy studs, and potentially the two most versatile offensive weapons in their sport, whose games are so patient as they look to attack the gaps in the defence, which allows them to do nearly anything with the puck or ball in their possession.

Auston Matthews & Josh Allen

The players who score the most goals or touchdowns put up eye-popping regular seasons but have yet to have real playoff success while looking to end their team's long championship droughts. However, that may be tough due to the "cursed" franchises they suit up for.

Sidney Crosby & Aaron Donald

Yes, I am aware Aaron Donald is retired, but nobody in the NFL compares to Sid quite as well as AD.

Two freaks of nature whose games are aging or did age like fine wine. Both of them were either the best or complete players in their leagues throughout their primes, and I cannot envision a world where Sid will ever be a bad hockey even near the end of his career, much like Donald when his career was winding down.

Two first-ballot hall-of-famers.

Alex Ovechkin & Aaron Rodgers

Both will not be remembered as the best players from their generation but always gave Sidney Crosby & Tom Brady a run for their money at the top of the league. Additionally, the two one-time champions whose rings have saved them from being remembered as playoff disappointments. With the two of them nearing the end of their pro careers, they are not the players they once were but still are more than serviceable. With a slight decline in their play & the light being at the end of the tunnel in their playing days, some have questioned their commitment to the game.

Connor Bedard & Caleb Williams

This one was obvious, two of the most hyped number one overall in recent NHL & NFL history, who are both looking to bring championships back to their iconic franchises in the Windy City.

Leon Draisaitl & Travis Kelce

Two rockstar personalities who are the other half of the scariest duos in their sport are as talented and skilled as they come. Both also raise their already dominant level of play to another level come post-season time.

Jack Eichel & Matthew Stafford

Two former high draft picks whose first chapter of their careers were defined by injury and being in dysfunctional organizations. Once they were able to get into a better situation they quickly became champions with their new squads.

Jonathan Huberdeau & Russell Wilson

Two players that were traded in expected mega-deals that gave their new fanbases hope but their play quickly fell upon joining their new teams.

Jack Hughes & Joe Burrow

Former #1 picks that shown they have shown they are two of the best players at their positions when healthy but will forever have injury concerns throughout the remainder of their careers.

Elias Pettersson & Trevor Lawrence

Two players coming off disappointing regular or post-seasons where they did not live up to what we expectations. With both of them signing huge deals recently, it is time for these two to perform when the games matter most.

Brad Marchand & Jalen Ramsey

Two of the scrappiest players in the league who love run their mouth but are also some of the best players at their position.

Cole Caufield & Kyler Murray

Not the stereotypical size for All-Star caliber players in such physical sports, both have shown the potential that they can be dynamic with the ball or puck in their grasp and can make magic happen at any given time.

William Nylander & Ja'Maar Chase

A couple of the flashiest players in their leagues who key contributors to their dynamic offences in hopes of winning a championship.

Cale Maker & Justin Jefferson

Players who dominated in college and once they showed up in the pros proved that their skill set would translate instantly. In 2024, they are by far the best at their position players at their positions, and it is frankly not debatable.

Mitch Marner & Dak Prescott

The most controversial players on the sport's most controversial teams. Both players always have superb regular season numbers, but always seem to come up small when the games matter most. Both are entering contract years and would probably benefit from a fresh start elsewhere.

Matthew Tkachuk & Micah Parsons

Game wreckers who are culture setters for their franchises and are as intense as they come, even if they are not having a great game, they make their presence known within the game.

Quinn Hughes & C.J. Stroud

Elite passers and leaders who have given their franchises a newfound hope for the foreseeable future. The two of them can also set up their teammates for success like some of the best in the sport, they may never be considered the best players at their positions unanimously but can play with the best of them every night.

Aleksander Barkov & Justin Herbert

Are these the most cool, calm, and collective players in their respective sports? I don't I've ever seen these guys lose their cool.