A lull in McDavid's reign — is he off the pedestal?

[Calderon]

Connor McDavid's been shut down in two consecutive games while Draisaitl's got on the board in both with timely goals. What's more, Draisaitl has edged McDavid out in ppg (1.51 vs 1.50) while having a substantially more goal-heavy point distribution. Additionally, both MacKinnon and Kucherov have produced at a higher pace the whole season after their impressive emergence last season. Is McDavid off the pedestal as the one in his own tier?



At times in the past Draisaitl has been a 1B to McDavid's 1A, matching his teammate's offensive output but eventually the latter has usually pulled away comfortably. Is there something here — is the two-headed monster of McDrai having an internal shift in power? I don't think Mario ever took a back step to Jaromir when both were in their respective primes.



Also, McDavid as a goal scorer is an interesting case and will be cool to debate over once he hangs 'em up. He's shown he can be the best for a sustained period when he puts his mind to it. Even still, his CV barely puts him above Crosby as a goal scorer. In terms of outscoring the field in goals and assists, I don't think he's going to replicate his peak season. Granted, he was out of the lineup for three games but that's not quite enough to put an asterisk on this season IMO.



Is it unfair to start throwing shade on the best player in the world for a little lull? He's just a human, after all. Well, so are Gretzky and Lemieux.

Click to read more...

 

[Jumptheshark]

2 games and he is done? Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooookaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

 

[Coffey]

The secret is out.

McDavid was always a product of Drai.

 

[Shanahanigans]

As the Oilers have gotten better and better over the last few years, Mcdavid has eased his game, but picks it up again in the playoffs. He rarely challenges defenders at full speed like he used to, he’ll opt for the safer play these days.
He’s not mailing it in but between 2015-2021 him and Drai would have to go full throttle for the Oilers to have a chance. The depth is better now, so he’s learned to pace himself so he doesn’t burn out and has more in the tank come playoff time. I also genuinely think he doesn’t care about the regular season anymore and won’t until he has a cup. His highest gear is still above everyone in the league, and we see that come May and June.

 

[Calderon]

2 games and he is done? Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooookaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

I'm telling you, it's Fonzie and waterskis all over again!

 

[AnInjuredJasonZucker]

I'm telling you, it's Fonzie and waterskis all over again!

Misaplication of "Jump the Shark".

 

[BLNY]

Correlation does not imply causation.

 

[Chet Manley]

He's the best player in the world and should show it again in the playoffs. But he isn't ahead of his contemporaries enough to justify how some around here include him in the same breath as Lemieux, Gretzky, Orr, Howe, etc.

 

[Kristopher Letang]

Sid would never.

 

[RebuildinVan]

I really dont get the point of this thread....

 

[Felidae]

We are only halfway into the season, and McDavid in a weaker year is virtually pacing for the same amount of points as what looks to be a top 3 season from Draisatl.

I think he's fine..

 

[tabness]

Was at the game in Climate Pledge this evening, got seats just five rows behind the Oilers bench (think Kraken fans were outnumbered by Oilers fans in this section, not a surprise in this town which always sees so many of the opposing team jerseys, I of course don't care much for the Kraken neither so I wore neutral colors)

McDavid didn't have a great game at all, think only once I saw him do the typical gain speed through the neutral zone but he lost the puck as soon as he gained the zone, also one one play he whined a ton about being high sticked or hit in the face (didn't see him get high sticked personally) going to both referees lol, he seemed frustrated for much of the game

So I spent most of the game enjoying Brandon Tanev's hustle (the poor Seattle bench got a lot of slamming by him), Coffey gesturing Ekholm and Nurse I believe to swap positions on the powerplay which they failed to do that led to the goal against right as it expired (Coffey did
not seem happy with Nurse in particular lol) and being amused by Draisaitl who seemed super pleased with himself getting a nice break with the Seattle D blowing a tire and fistbumped even the trainer after he scored the empty netter but didn't acknowledge the kid just behind me who had a sign asking Draisaitl to score a goal for his birthday, also dude seriously needed to fix his jersey this game, it bothered me as much as his disgusting mouth guard biting

Then again I never was with the way McDavid is put on a pedestal of being the greatest ever or the heir to Gretzky and Lemieux or whatever, he's a player who hands and mind can keep up with his feet at top speed that also gets to play in a powderpuff league catered to these talents, there were others before who didn't get such a fortuitous league context and there are others copying this game now and for the future

I understand the need for contemporaneous zoomer heroes though, given the world is seemingly falling apart otherwise, escapist fantasy is a comforting retreat from reality, it's just the sports equivalent of all the dorky superhero movies in vogue recently

 

[Shark Finn]

Bust.

 

[ijuka]

Correlation does not imply causation.

Correlation actually does imply causation, though. It doesn't guarantee nor does it prove it, but it does imply it.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Wow 2 games meanwhile we had A player a top 6 player score less on like 50 games

 

[ItWasJustified]

I really dont get the point of this thread....

Reversed jinx thread for OP's favourite player probably. He's hoping that by making this thread McDavid will go on a tear and win the Art Ross.

 

[Dust]

Was at the game in Climate Pledge this evening, got seats just five rows behind the Oilers bench (think Kraken fans were outnumbered by Oilers fans in this section, not a surprise in this town which always sees so many of the opposing team jerseys, I of course don't care much for the Kraken neither so I wore neutral colors)

McDavid didn't have a great game at all, think only once I saw him do the typical gain speed through the neutral zone but he lost the puck as soon as he gained the zone, also one one play he whined a ton about being high sticked or hit in the face (didn't see him get high sticked personally) going to both referees lol, he seemed frustrated for much of the game

So I spent most of the game enjoying Brandon Tanev's hustle (the poor Seattle bench got a lot of slamming by him), Coffey gesturing Ekholm and Nurse I believe to swap positions on the powerplay which they failed to do that led to the goal against right as it expired (Coffey did
not seem happy with Nurse in particular lol) and being amused by Draisaitl who seemed super pleased with himself getting a nice break with the Seattle D blowing a tire and fistbumped even the trainer after he scored the empty netter but didn't acknowledge the kid just behind me who had a sign asking Draisaitl to score a goal for his birthday, also dude seriously needed to fix his jersey this game, it bothered me as much as his disgusting mouth guard biting

Then again I never was with the way McDavid is put on a pedestal of being the greatest ever or the heir to Gretzky and Lemieux or whatever, he's a player who hands and mind can keep up with his feet at top speed that also gets to play in a powderpuff league catered to these talents, there were others before who didn't get such a fortuitous league context and there are others copying this game now and for the future

I understand the need for contemporaneous zoomer heroes though, given the world is seemingly falling apart otherwise, escapist fantasy is a comforting retreat from reality, it's just the sports equivalent of all the dorky superhero movies in vogue recently

This is a long winded way of saying you failed in your quest to get a selfie with Buoy. Respect the hustle though!

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Peak, healthy McDavid is losing the Hart/Ross races again, to a number of lesser players…again.

It’s times like this that make you wonder if he’s closer to Esposito than to Mario, who at 27 would be automatic for the Ross.

 

[snipes]

These threads make for great bumps.

Watch McDavid go off for like 27 points in 10 games now

 

[Wings4Life]

It's surprising that coming off his peak season, McDavid has been outplayed by several other forwards over the past two years, most of whom are older than him.

These threads make for great bumps.

Watch McDavid go off for like 27 points in 10 games now

At this point, I'd be very surprised to see it happen. Would be great for the Oilers and for hockey in general to have McDavid snatch the crown back, but I would be surprised.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

He's the best player in the world and should show it again in the playoffs. But he isn't ahead of his contemporaries enough to justify how some around here include him in the same breath as Lemieux, Gretzky, Orr, Howe, etc.

Yea he's clearly the best of his era but Lemieux or Gretzky would be lapping the field. Would never lose to Kucherov, MacKinnon, or Draisaitl. It's not going to be a big 5.

And his 100 assists or 64 goals don't look quite as special when Kucherov also hit 100 assists, Matthews hit 69 goals, and MacKinnon is on pace for 105 assists this year.

And then there's the 0 cups ten years in that's still looming in the background.

 

[snipes]

It's surprising that coming off his peak season, McDavid has been outplayed by several other forwards over the past two years, most of whom are older than him.


At this point, I'd be very surprised to see it happen. Would be great for the Oilers and for hockey in general to have McDavid snatch the crown back, but I would be surprised.

Look how much hockey he’s played in the last 3 years. Plus I mean he is the reigning Conn Smythe winner despite being on the losing team.

He led the playoffs in points in 2022 and 2024.

Usually McDavid comes on stronger as the season goes on and there’s a lot of hockey left.

Anyways, pretty much the only thing that matters and only trophy that matters for the Oilers and McDavid is the Cup at this point.

A bit to your point though, Draisaitl has been the Oilers best player this year and the best player in the world this season so thankfully he’s an Oiler.

 

[Frank Drebin]

Peak, healthy McDavid is losing the Hart/Ross races again, to a number of lesser players…again.

It’s times like this that make you wonder if he’s closer to Esposito than to Mario, who at 27 would be automatic for the Ross.

Was esposito also better than crosby?

 

[WhiskeyEE]

I think his finishing touch has been off the last few games. There was a breakaway last night that he didn't do much with for example. And I think 2 games ago.

Draisaitl I think is probably responding to how fans reacted when he signed the new contract and seems to have some extra hustle.

 

[BB79]

Yeah he's a bum. Trade him to the Bruins, we'll do you a favor and give you a 3rd rounder and future considerations for him