NHL.com: John McGourty gives his list of the smartest player in modern times and selects Bryan Trottier as tenth overall on his list.
Bryan Trottier -- The best skater-without-the-puck after Gretzky and a superior performer with the puck. He was a voracious student of the game and a great leader. Trottier might have had the best peripheral vision of any NHL player. He had an incredible sense of where everyone else on the ice was. He picked at every weakness. Few players could expose opponents, individual and team, as well as Trottier. He won the Calder, Hart and Conn Smythe Trophies, which means he started great, got better and dominated at the highest possible level.
NYI Fan Central Comments:
Usual quality work from Mr McGourty top to bottom. Three more Stanley Cups in Pittsburgh and Colorado also speak to Bryan Trottier's contribution in a peripheral role helping players. Islanders are very fortunate to have him on the current staff.