High expectations surrounded Connor McDavid even before his first NHL game. When the Edmonton Oilers drafted him first overall in 2015, he had already achieved numerous honors playing junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
Over three seasons with the OHL`s Erie Otters, McDavid amassed 97 goals and 188 assists. In that time, the talented center won the Red Tilson Trophy as OHL MVP, the Emms Family Award as OHL Rookie of the Year, and was named to several All-Star teams, all before age 18.
Now in his tenth professional season, McDavid has achieved nearly every major individual honor in the NHL. He has been selected for seven NHL All-Star Games, earned the Hart Trophy (league MVP) three times, topped the league in scoring five times, and was even awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP) last season.
Realistically, the only significant achievement missing from McDavid`s resume is winning the Stanley Cup.
McDavid dominated the first three rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Heading into the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers, the Oilers` captain leads all NHL players with 26 points (six goals, 20 assists), holding a one-point edge over his teammate Leon Draisaitl.
In Edmonton`s five-game Western Conference Final victory over the Dallas Stars, McDavid registered three goals and six assists. When the Stars threatened to shift momentum in the crucial Game 5, McDavid stepped up, just as he has often done throughout his career.
When a loose puck entered the neutral zone, McDavid unleashed his speed, taking just nine powerful strides to drive to the net and slide the puck past Stars goalie Casey DeSmith. This extended the Oilers` lead to 4-2, an advantage they maintained in their eventual 6-3 win.
This was McDavid`s second game-winning goal of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, following his decisive goal in Game 3 of the same Western Conference Final series.
Even without a Stanley Cup win, McDavid has consistently excelled under pressure in big moments. Notably, in 2024, he became only the sixth player in NHL history to receive the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP) while playing for the team that lost the Stanley Cup Final.
In the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers` star recorded points in four of the seven games. His Game 4 performance was particularly memorable, as he tallied a goal and three assists in a resounding 8-1 victory over the Panthers.
McDavid ranks sixth in career points among active NHL players (143). He is also second only to Wayne Gretzky in achieving multiple postseasons with 20 or more assists, a feat Gretzky accomplished six times. Furthermore, the former first-overall pick reached 100 career playoff assists in the second-fewest games (90), trailing only Gretzky (70). McDavid`s career playoff points-per-game average (1.59) is also the third-highest in league history.
Beyond his impressive playoff statistics, McDavid also delivered a heroic performance in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February. With Canada tied 2-2 against the United States in overtime, McDavid scored the game-winner at 8:18 of the extra period, securing victory for Canada in the inaugural event.
McDavid consistently demonstrates the ability to make extraordinary plays when his team needs them most, proving himself repeatedly at the highest level.
While the league is full of skilled players, McDavid is widely considered the face of the NHL. His incredible playmaking abilities are often jaw-dropping. However, the one goal McDavid has yet to achieve in his ten-year career is winning the Stanley Cup. If he can finally lead the Oilers to a championship, it would instantly place him among the sport`s all-time legends.
