Edmonton Oilers: 5 Ways to compare Connor McDavid to Wayne Gretzky
Connor McDavid and Wayne Gretzky have a lot of similarities. Here are five ways to compare the two Oilers legends.
Ever since he has first skated out in an Edmonton Oilers uniform, Connor McDavid has impacted the NHL in a significant way. Although Wayne Gretzky is arguably the greatest hockey player of all time, there are many ways in which the two can be compared.
Here are five ways to compare McDavid to Gretzky.
1. Edmonton Oilers
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The Oilers are historically one of the most popular and successful teams in all of NHL history. They have produced many Stanley Cups and many impacting players in the league. With their resume including Mark Messier, Paul Coffey, Jari Kurri, and Gretzky, this team knows how to develop legends of the game of hockey.
In recent times, Connor McDavid has shown to the league that the Oilers once again, can produce high scoring leaders and players that are on track to be some of the greatest of all time. With a record of 5 Stanley Cups won, it should be an honor to be able to skate as an Oiler. McDavid and Gretzky both share this commonality with one another and it is something special.
Rogers Place is an atmosphere unlike any other. It has hosted some of the most talented players and showcased some of the best games the league has to offer. Wayne Gretzky was able to be a part of the team for 4 Stanley Cups.
Although McDavid does not have a Cup under his belt, this does not mean that the future for one is not promising. With players such as Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Adam Larsson, this team could see a future Stanley Cup very soon.
2. Team Captains
Being a captain on an NHL team, or any sports team for that matter, is quite a challenge and position to hold. Connor McDavid and Wayne Gretzky both share this role for the Edmonton Oilers. These positions were also held at a young age for the two.
Being a captain is more than just about wearing a “C” on your jersey. It is about showcasing true sportsmanship, the ability to build your teammates up when they are down, and the tenacity to lead a team.
Both of these players have exemplified influential leadership to their team and the rest of the league. This role is not an easy task and it can define players’ careers. Gretzky and McDavid have both certainly shown true confidence when being captain of the Oilers.
They not only have the stats to portray why they deserve this role but they have the legacy that has been established in Oilers history and the NHL to show for it.
3. League MVPs
Is Connor McDavid on track to being close to or surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time stats records? Gretzky is the NHL’s all-time leader in assists, goals, and points. McDavid has quite a ways to go if wants to even come close to Gretzky’s records. Only time will tell if he can put up numbers like that.
One thing that these two do have in common is that they have both been NHL MVPs at a young age in the NHL. This accomplishment is no easy tasks to complete but they both encompass amazing talent and skill playing in the National Hockey League.
For Wayne Gretzky, having a 100 point season was a norm and there were many seasons that were more than 100 points. Gretzky truly put up some numbers for the entire league to see. For the past three seasons, McDavid has been able to accomplish 100 point seasons. If he continues to keep this rate up, there could be a chance that he can catch up to the statistics that Gretzky has produced.
The future looks very bright for McDavid. He truly is one of the greatest players currently in the league. His stats are top tier, he is a true leader for his team, and he has some of the best hands in hockey.
It is hard to compare McDavid at such a young age, to one of the greatest players of all time but his performance must be honored. He has already respectfully earned the reputation of being one of the most impacting players in the NHL right now. This kind of playing ability has to be highlighted for all to see.
2. Fast Skaters
It is not uncommon to find that the best hockey players tend to be either the fastest or the best skaters. Both Wayne Gretzky and Connor McDavid possess some of the fastest skating the NHL has ever seen. One can conclude that this velocity in skating has certainly contributed to their ability to acquire a lot of points.
In recent times, Connor McDavid has achieved the fastest skater for the second time in a row during the all-star competition. This is quite an achievement for the 22-year-old center. Gretzky was also known for being a very balanced and speedy skater. These two share a lot in common and having incredible speed is not only one of them but it is very important to be successful in the NHL. Players today have become a lot faster due to better equipment and competitive play.
Having incredible speed has allowed both Gretzky and McDavid to put up incredible stats such as goals, assists, and points. There is no doubt that having such great speed has contributed to their success as players. In assessing players in the NHL, speed is definitely a vital component of determining good playing ability.
1. Revolutionizing the Game
There is no doubt whatsoever that Wayne Gretzky has forever revolutionized the game of hockey. In recent times, Connor McDavid can be categorized in that same area. These two have certainly set their own unique standard for young players, current players, and future players.
As far as popularity, both of these players are among some of the most popular ones of all time and for good reason. Gretzky and McDavid both possess magnificent skill and playing ability and they have been able to adapt to the game so well compared to other players.
There is a reason that these two both share leading the league in skills and stats. Although both of these players have separate times in which they play in the NHL, they certainly have been given top tier status among the entire league.
Gretzky has already established himself as a legendary player in the NHL by having record-breaking numbers, winning many Stanley cups, and taking the game of hockey to a new level of play. However, McDavid has that same potential.
McDavid came into the league at a very young age, has three 100-point seasons thus far, and is already a captain for his team. It would be extremely difficult to compare him to Gretzky as a whole for many reasons.
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One, he has a lot of time left to play in the league. Two, they both played in completely different time periods of hockey as the game has changed so much. One has to admit, however, that the potential that McDavid is incredible. There are many similarities that these both share. It is only a matter of time before McDavid can show to the league that he has what it takes to become a legend like Gretzky.