A couple weeks ago, Connor McDavid was ranked as The Hockey News’ number one player in the NHL. Of course, as humble hockey players are known to do, he disagreed with that assessment.
He led the league in points last season by a fair margin and he’s quite possibly the most electrifying player to play the game. However, there are still many things he hasn’t done in the NHL, which led him to state that “Everyone knows who the best in the league is, and it’s not me”.
Now, he’s offered a little more information as to why he doesn’t consider himself the best player and the league and what he needs to do to get to that level. This is what he had to say in an interview with NHL.com’s Nicholas Cotsonika:
“[Winning is] ultimately how greatness and that stuff is kind of judged. To catch Sid, you have to do what Sid's done and win everywhere he's been…
He's done it all. He's won it all. Individual, team, you name it, he's done it. He's a guy that I think everyone's kind of looked up to, and he's that guy for a reason.
I've kind of always said that one season doesn't make a career. I'm a guy who wants to make a lasting impression on hockey, and if I'm going to do that, I have a lot more work to do than just one season.”
That’s the safest answer he can give, and it is a little early to be trying to take away Crosby’s crown, especially considering he did lead the league in points per game for most of last season. Still, plays like the one below from the BioSteel tournament where Connor was initially asked about this will have people second guessing.
There’s no doubt he has other-worldly skill and is on pace to be the best player of his generation. Unfortunately for his fans, Crosby’s generation isn’t quite through.
