Before Connor McDavid even stepped onto NHL ice, expectations for his career were extraordinarily high. When the Edmonton Oilers selected him first overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, he had already amassed significant recognition during his time in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
Across three seasons with the OHL`s Erie Otters, McDavid recorded an impressive 97 goals and 188 assists. Before his 18th birthday, the standout center had already received accolades such as the Red Tilson Trophy for OHL MVP, the Emms Family Award for OHL Rookie of the Year, and multiple All-Star selections.
Now in his tenth professional season, McDavid has conquered nearly every peak the NHL offers. His extensive list of achievements includes seven appearances in the NHL All-Star Game, three Hart Trophies as the league`s most valuable player, leading the league in points five times, and even winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP in 2024.
In essence, the singular major accomplishment missing from McDavid`s otherwise stellar resume is a Stanley Cup championship.
McDavid has navigated the initial rounds of these Stanley Cup Playoffs with exceptional dominance. Entering the Stanley Cup Final series against the Florida Panthers, the Oilers` captain currently sits atop the playoff scoring leaderboard among all skaters, with 26 points (six goals, 20 assists), holding a narrow one-point lead over teammate Leon Draisaitl.
He was highly productive in Edmonton`s five-game Western Conference Final victory over the Dallas Stars, contributing three goals and six assists. When the Stars posed a threat to rally in the pivotal Game 5, McDavid delivered a moment of brilliance when his team needed it most.
Following a loose puck into the neutral zone, McDavid exploded with speed, requiring only nine powerful strides to reach the net before skillfully sliding the puck past Stars goaltender Casey DeSmith. This spectacular play extended the Oilers` lead to 4-2, an advantage they would not surrender on their way to a 6-3 win.
That crucial goal marked McDavid`s second game-winning goal of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs; he had previously netted the decisive goal in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final.
Despite the absence of a Stanley Cup ring so far, McDavid has consistently demonstrated his ability to perform under immense pressure. Notably, in 2024, he joined an exclusive group as just the sixth player in history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP while playing for the losing team in the Stanley Cup Final, a testament to his individual brilliance even in defeat.
Throughout the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers` leader recorded at least one point in four of the seven games. He delivered a particularly historic performance in Game 4, accumulating a goal and three assists in a commanding 8-1 win against the Panthers.
McDavid currently ranks sixth in career playoff points among active NHL players with 143. He is second only to Wayne Gretzky for the most postseasons with 20 or more assists, having achieved this feat six times compared to Gretzky`s seven. He also reached the milestone of 100 career playoff assists in the second-fewest games (90), again trailing only Gretzky (70), and boasts the third-highest career playoff points per game average (1.59) in league history.
Beyond his remarkable NHL playoff statistics, the star forward also provided a moment of heroism in the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February. With Canada tied 2-2 against the United States in overtime, McDavid scored the winning goal 8:18 into the extra period, securing a victory for Canada.
McDavid possesses a unique talent for making seemingly superhuman plays precisely when his team requires them most, consistently performing at the sport`s elite level.
While the league features numerous exceptionally talented players, McDavid has widely assumed the mantle of the face of the NHL. His breathtaking playmaking skills regularly leave fans and analysts in awe. However, the sole significant accomplishment missing from his illustrious decade-long career is hoisting Lord Stanley`s Cup. If McDavid can successfully guide the Oilers to postseason victory, it would unquestionably propel him into the discourse surrounding the greatest players in the history of the sport.
