As of TODAY, where is McDavid on the all time list in your opinion?

[VistamarCroissants]

Connor McDavid is already in the conversation among the top 25 players of all time—but his story is far from finished.
With years of prime hockey still ahead of him, the potential for more Hart Trophies, Stanley Cups, and Olympic golds looms large.
The true measure of McDavid’s place in history won’t be clear until the final chapter of his career is written, but in five to ten years, we’ll have a much better sense of just how high he can rise in the all-time ranks.

 

[jetsforever]

Should be top 15 at least

 

[Golden_Jet]

Top 5 likely when he retires, but if retired today, put him in the top 10-20. which is what OP is asking.

 

[jetsforever]

Connor McDavid is already in the conversation among the top 25 players of all time—but his story is far from finished.
With years of prime hockey still ahead of him, the potential for more Hart Trophies, Stanley Cups, and Olympic golds looms large.
The true measure of McDavid’s place in history won’t be clear until the final chapter of his career is written, but in five to ten years, we’ll have a much better sense of just how high he can rise in the all-time ranks.

Why does this sound like ChatGPT

 

[PeE eL DuBoiS]

I did a lot of great research for this profound topic of discussion and have decided that, as of TODAY, he's ranked 99th of all time, give or take exactly 0 spots.

Of course, this is just my opinion and isn't grounded in solid hockey analysis like all of these "he's number 6!" projections from the great hfboards savants.

 

[VistamarCroissants]

I did a lot of great research for this profound topic of discussion and have decided that, as of TODAY, he's ranked 99th of all time, give or take exactly 0 spots.

Of course, this is just my opinion and isn't grounded in solid hockey analysis like all of these "he's number 6!" projections from the great hfboards savants.

View attachment 932294

Dale Hunter above LaFontaine. Interesting

 

[Midnight Judges]

I differ from most in that I value total career value (total contribution to one's teams) while accounting for the added value of concentrated peak, whereas many people just want to be dazzled, see a cup, and then it doesn't matter what happens after that.

With that said, I don't have McDavid all that high right now but I think he's rapidly climbing and on track to easily surpass Lemieux and Orr, and probably Howe as well - given enough games. I think Gretzky is pretty much out of reach.

I also don't cup count - because that leads to arbitrary and inequitable results. The old timers love it because it objectively biases ~ 500% towards their preferred original 6 heroes. McDavid could never win a cup and it's not going to change my opinion by much, if anything (so long as he performs well).

 

[Holkoun]

Top 15 right now, might finish top 11 by the time his career is over...but likely:

Gretzky
Orr
Howe
Lemieux
Hasek
Richard
Beliveau
Lidstrom
Crosby
Ovechkin
McDavid

Crosby, ovechkin and no jagr? Ridiculous

 

[Greg02]

Using Top-100 Hockey Players of All-Time as a reference and doing some quick internal debating, I found it hard to argue for McDavid to be below 50 or above 30.

 

[benfranklin]

No, he needs 1 cup, even that can be questioned, these GOATs of all time mainly won their cups when there were 6-22 teams in the league, it is alot harder to win a cup now, if McDavid wins 1 cup and gets 2,000 points he is definitely #2 behind Gretzky, 2000 points and no Cups i'd probably rank him 3, if he retired today I would still say 4-5 or something

So Lemieux, Gretzky, Orr, and then McDavid if he retired today?! Really?!

Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin, Jagr, Messier, Howe, Hull, Hull, Sakic, Yzerman, Francis, Esposito, Selanne, Kurri, Robitaille, Modano, Beliveau, Shanahan, Mikita, Lafleur, Savard, Kane, Kucherov, Kopitar, Clarke, Fedorov, Forsberg, Stamkos, Hossa, Bossy.

Thats just off the top of my head Cup winners not including D or G. If he retired today, his career is better than those guys?

Why does this sound like ChatGPT

The Hart Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the NHL's most valuable player (MVP) during the regular season, and it has been won by defensemen only a few times in its history. Here are the defensemen who have won the Hart Trophy:

1. Eddie Shore (Boston Bruins) - 1924, 1925
   • Shore was a pioneering defenseman known for his physical style of play and was one of the early stars of the NHL.
2. Red Kelly (Detroit Red Wings) - 1954
   • Kelly was a versatile player who excelled on both defense and offense, becoming a significant figure in the league during his time.
3. Bobby Orr (Boston Bruins) - 1969, 1970, 1971
   • Widely regarded as one of the greatest defensemen in NHL history, Orr revolutionized the position with his offensive skills and skating ability. He is the only defenseman to win the Hart Trophy three times.
4. Larry Robinson (Montreal Canadiens) - 1976
   • Robinson was a key player on some of the Canadiens' championship teams, known for his defensive prowess and leadership.
5. Chris Pronger (St. Louis Blues) - 2000
   • Pronger was recognized for his dominant two-way play and was instrumental in leading the Blues to success during his time with the team.
6. Nicklas Lidström (Detroit Red Wings) - 2007
   • Lidström is considered one of the best defensemen ever, known for his intelligence, skill, and consistency. He was a vital part of the Red Wings' success in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
7. Kris Letang (Pittsburgh Penguins) - 2023
   • Letang, a key player for the Penguins, won the Hart Trophy following an outstanding season, showcasing his importance to the team's success.

These players are notable for not only their defensive skills but also their ability to contribute offensively, which is essential for winning the Hart Trophy as the league's MVP.

 

[cowboy82nd]

I did a lot of great research for this profound topic of discussion and have decided that, as of TODAY, he's ranked 99th of all time, give or take exactly 0 spots.

Of course, this is just my opinion and isn't grounded in solid hockey analysis like all of these "he's number 6!" projections from the great hfboards savants.

View attachment 932294

So, no goalies above him?

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

No one cares that the greats won their cups when there was 20 teams. It's hardly worth considering even though it's valid. People base legacy and greatness based on how many championships and trophies regardless of how circumstantial that can be at times - plain and simple.

I think he needs a couple cups to be with Lemieux. If he gets one he's right beside Crosby.

The Art Ross trophy is a better way of deciphering a players offensive dominance rather than just looking at point totals. The ebbs and flows of scoring in the NHL varies a lot. 1 more Art Ross and McDavid ties Lemieux and Howe. Lemieux had to play in the same era as Gretzky which suppresses his total in my opinion. But either way, McDavid still has a long ways to go to be with Lemieux and it mostly come down to Stabley Cups - 1 isn't enough.

True Lemieux would have 8 art rosses if you remove Gretzky, even with all the injured seasons. Would add 85-86 and 86-87 to his totals. McDavid isn't going to pass Lemieux or Orr, even if he hits 2000 points. His peak is simply not as high.

 

[GMR]

He's a top-10 player and it's really not questionable. He's done things with a consistency that very, very few players have ever matched.

Or to put another way, he is at LEAST wherever Jagr is.

Banging hot 25 year olds in the Czech Republic?

He wishes.

 

[Daximus]

Why does this sound like ChatGPT

It 100% is, ChatGPT loves to hyphen and double hyphen words. Even if it is the proper way to write in english, nobody does it because it takes way-to-much—time. Easiest giveaway that something is written by GPT.

 

[notdoneyet]

He is already at the top

I’m 71 years old and have been watching hockey all my life

Look at the goalie equipment now as opposed to years ago. The pads are 6 feet high, the trapper takes up the whole net, the jerseys are size 90 and the goalies themselves are monsters.

In other eras the greats were great but the third and fourth liners were not very skillful. They smoked in the dressing room, drank beer after the game and in the summer they gained 30 pounds and had to have a 2 month training camp. The third and fourth liners today are in shape year round. The average player today is so much better than the average player of yesteryear. They are better because they are in shape year round, skates are lightweight and are far superior to the old skates and even sticks are lighter and have flex.

There is no one in the NHL today that can skate that fast and handle the puck the way mcdavid does.

In every generation great players are great players the difference is the today’s players have so many advantages over previous generations.

Teams today are harder to play against and goalies and equipment are better.

If he keeps up getting 150 points a year he will be the GOAT

 

[Sun God Nika]

Top 10 will be top 7 by retirement.

 

[Video Nasty]

It 100% is, ChatGPT loves to hyphen and double hyphen words. Even if it is the proper way to write in english, nobody does it because it takes way-to-much—time. Easiest giveaway that something is written by GPT

Plenty of people use hyphens and em dashes. As a writer, they take no time at all to use because reading and writing is a way of life. Nothing wrong with elegant prose, even on these forums.

That said—you’re correct about that post.

 

[Daximus]

Plenty of people use hyphens and em dashes. As a writer, they take no time at all to use because reading and writing is a way of life. Nothing wrong with elegant prose, even on these forums.

That said—you’re correct about that post.

Oh I get it many great writers actually know how to use them. It's just that the vast majority of people don't and when they get used on a message board it's even more of a telltale sign that someone is just plugging in some prompt to get a response to post here. I feel like it's kind of a fruitless endeavour because most people with any kind of internet literacy can spot it from a mile away. It doesn't make people look smart, just lazy.

 

[benfranklin]

He's a top-10 player and it's really not questionable. He's done things with a consistency that very, very few players have ever matched.

Or to put another way, he is at LEAST wherever Jagr is.

Math guy here questioning it. You really have to stretch the value of Hart's to even remotely make an argument for McDavid being equal to Jagr currently. "At LEAST", no, not even close.

1921 points > 1003 points
2 Cups > 0 Cups
5 Art Ross = 5 Art Ross
1 Hart < 3 Hart
3 Lindsay/Pearson < 4 Lindsay/Pearson
0 Conn Smythe < 1 Conn Smythe

 

[EdmFlyersfan]

Crosby, ovechkin and no jagr? Ridiculous

An oversight... throw him in there.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

#1 most skilled. Somewhere in 5-10 for effect in NHL. Going off cups is fundamentally unfair, but such is life, so he’s behind Crosby and Ovi until somethin changes.

 

[nowhereman]

Top 15-ish

He has enough hardware to be knocking on the door of top 10 but he lacks the career numbers and, as far as the "legacy" cherry on top, a Cup. If everything goes right on the back half of his career, he could make the Big 4 a Big 5. But he still has a ways to go there.

 

[Grifter3511]

Math guy here questioning it. You really have to stretch the value of Hart's to even remotely make an argument for McDavid being equal to Jagr currently. "At LEAST", no, not even close.

1921 points > 1003 points
2 Cups > 0 Cups
5 Art Ross = 5 Art Ross
1 Hart < 3 Hart
3 Lindsay/Pearson < 4 Lindsay/Pearson
0 Conn Smythe < 1 Conn Smythe

Weird take. I'm a bigger jagr than mcdavid fan. But in significantly less time McDavid has won more individual accolades. All Jagr really has going for him here is length of tenure and the team award (SC).

I'd say it's much closer than you seem to think.

 

[winnipegger]

At this rate he will be right beside Lemieux. But in order to achieve that status he has to win a couple cups. It's a big ask for the inept organization he plays for.

Why do people keep saying this when the oilers were 2 goals away from a cup last year. Clearly they can put a good team together.