HOW GOOD IS CONNOR MCDAVID?
By Lowetide
9 years agoFailed to load video.
There are two things most hockey fans agree on: Connor McDavid is a generational talent and the Edmonton Oilers shouldn’t be awarded another No. 1 overall pick. In the NHL, ‘fair’ doesn’t exist.
HOW GOOD IS HE?
Connor McDavid is so far beyond good the dictionary trembles to find the words. Consider his numbers in the OHL compared to recent No. 1 overall picks from the CHL in their draft seasons.
- Connor McDavid OHL 18GP, 16-35-51 (2.83 points-per-game)
- Taylor Hall OHL 57GP, 40-66-106 (1.86 points-per-game)
- John Tavares OHL 56GP, 58-46-104 (1.86 points-per-game)
- Steven Stamkos OHL 61GP, 58-47-105 (1.72 points-per-game)
- Nathan MacKinnon QMJHL 44GP, 32-43-75 (1.70 points-per-game)
- Nail Yakupov OHL 42GP, 31-38-69 (1.64 points-per-game)
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins WHL 69GP, 31-75-106 (1.54 points-per-game)
That’s a breathtaking gap between McDavid and Hall. It’s incredible really. McDavid is so far ahead of the very best junior kids available going back several years it is to laugh. Amazing.
Your next question is probably ‘but how does he compare to Sidney Crosby in his draft year?
- Connor McDavid OHL 18GP, 16-35-51 (2.83 points-per-game)
- Sidney Crosby QMJHL 62GP, 66-102-168 (2.71 points-per-game)
Wow. It’s early, and Crosby did it over an entire season, but this is insane offense and the OHL is a great league! The numbers suggest Connor McDavid is a franchise-changer.
WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?
- Ryan Kennedy, The Hockey News: “The boy genius. One scout told me he has the best hockey IQ he’s ever
seen, others are saying he’s better than Crosby at the same age. An
offensive juggernaut who makes insane plays at high speeds.” Source - Mike Morreale, NHL.com:
“The injury in no way should or will change anyone’s opinion of this
world class talent. I remember a conversation I had with Windsor
Spitfires forward Joshua Ho Sang last spring before he was chosen late
in the first round by the New York Islanders. I asked Ho Sang about his
time spent with McDavid with the Toronto Marlboros minor midget AAA team
in 2011-12. Ho Sang told me that everyone knows how gifted a player he
is but no one ever seems to talk about his work ethic. Ho Sang said
McDavid didn’t drop onto the Earth with all this talent, he truly worked
at it. Ho Sang said he’s known McDavid since the age of 9 and feels his
work ethic is what has gotten him this far and will take him to even
greater heights in the future.” Source - David Gregory, Central Scouting: “McDavid never takes a shift off, and to be honest I believe may be
the one to beat in the 2015 draft,” Central Scouting’s David Gregory
said. “He’s stealth-like in finding open areas on the ice without the
puck; he creates space for himself. He’s gotten even better at that and
he’s continued to get stronger. I really believe he’s going to dominate
this year.” Source - ISS Scouting Director Dennis MacInnins: “Having the chance to scout Sidney Crosby at the
same age, McDavid is even more impressive, true superstar potential.” Source
THIS DOESN’T FEEL RIGHT
I very much doubt the Edmonton Oilers are looking forward to securing the No. 1 overall selection. They have moved heaven and earth to turn north and nothing rhymes. In an extra bit of cruelty, the team finally has good possession numbers but their goaltending, coverage and power play have cratered.
It is impossible to even entertain thoughts of Connor McDavid as an Oiler.
And yet, we are here.
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