C Connor McDavid - Erie Otters, OHL (2015 Draft) VI

[1Gold Standard]

you just run out of superlatives for this guy. Simply the best prospect I've seen since Lindros. Usually by this time of year I'm suffering from hockey burnout and looking forward to the offseason, but I'd like to watch this guy play all summer long.

 

[Topgoon]

Thanks for the responses guys. Great to hear that even though the situation is tough, he's finding ways to adapt to continue generating offense.

It's a great sign - too often we've seen great players unable to adapt their game in tough situations - i.e. the elite playmaker continue passing the puck even when linemates are covered or utterly subpar.

 

[DazedandConfused]

Boy, Edmonton got a good one. You just watch him game to game and think he's impressed you as much as he will and he keeps raising the bar.

NHL is in good hands.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Even with how loaded a team SSM is, I think people forgot just how dominant Erie was at the start of the season when everyone was healthy. Took them like 18 games before their first loss. A month or two ago, I predicted that Erie would go all the way on the shoulders of McDavid in the Mem Cup thread.

He's starting to play with the same confidence and drive that he had at the start of the season. That's bad news for SSM. And possibly the rest of the CHL.

 

[1972]

One of those players that makes your hold your breath everytime he touches the puck. I don't even worry about him not playing for the Sabres, I am just glad we will get to watch a talent like this in the NHL, I'll probably be watching 30-40 Oilers games next year because of him.

 

[aef1400]

Since the Sarnia series he has 15 goals in 7 games, and the competition has only gotten stronger. Has truly taken his game to another level.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

One of those players that makes your hold your breath everytime he touches the puck. I don't even worry about him not playing for the Sabres, I am just glad we will get to watch a talent like this in the NHL, I'll probably be watching 30-40 Oilers games next year because of him.

And I'll be watching Sabres games because of Eichel. I am very happy that our two teams will be getting an elite talent this draft!

 

[Bryanbryoil]

For those that remember Crosby from his days at Rimouski how would you compare their games? I only recall seeing Sid in the Memorial Cup and what stood out for me was how strong he was due to his powerful core. I remember Weber having a devil of a time dealing with Sid. With McDavid it seems like going off of my memory from 11 years ago that his speed stands out more even though Sid is an extremely explosive skater.

 

[Patmac40]

For those that remember Crosby from his days at Rimouski how would you compare their games? I only recall seeing Sid in the Memorial Cup and what stood out for me was how strong he was due to his powerful core. I remember Weber having a devil of a time dealing with Sid. With McDavid it seems like going off of my memory from 11 years ago that his speed stands out more even though Sid is an extremely explosive skater.

Crosby was very physically mature at 17, his lower body strength allowed him to dominate along with his next-level skillset.

McDavid dominates in a different manner. His speed and lateral agility is more impressive than Crosby's was but it's mainly since they play different styles. Crosby plays like a ultra-talented grinding style while McDavid plays such a fluid, skillful style. McDavid is at the point that Crosby was at in his draft year playoff run where he would single-handedly take over games and force is his will upon his opponents, just in different styles.

 

[YEGJuniorFan]

Last nights game was the first Erie game I have watched in a while. OH MY GAWD. Is McDavid that dominant every shift? He had a steal or created a scoring chance I think every single time he was on the ice (there may have been a few shifts in which he didn't, but it was very few). He looked like Bure with Crosby's IQ.

 

[1972]

And I'll be watching Sabres games because of Eichel. I am very happy that our two teams will be getting an elite talent this draft!

Can't wait until they face off in the NHL, looking forward to a Sabres vs Edmonton game that isn't titles the "tank bowl".

 

[SAK11]

For those that remember Crosby from his days at Rimouski how would you compare their games? I only recall seeing Sid in the Memorial Cup and what stood out for me was how strong he was due to his powerful core. I remember Weber having a devil of a time dealing with Sid. With McDavid it seems like going off of my memory from 11 years ago that his speed stands out more even though Sid is an extremely explosive skater.

Hockey sense/smarts/IQ is even between the two of them in my opinion. It's this that separates top end prospects/players from generational talents like these two. They are both so smart and are always one step ahead of everyone else. They make plays that others wouldn't even think of trying.
Skating speed is where McDavid has the edge. He is crazy fast and his acceleration is ridiculous. Crosby is fast, but McDavid is on another level. It's unfair to be this fast. It's even more unfair to have hands that are equally fast. And then to have the brain to make them work so well together is insane.
Crosby's hands are at a similar level. Where he has an edge is his strength. His thighs are tree stumps. Trying to take the puck off him down low, or battle him in front of the net is not fun. Just look 'Crosby against Spezza' for an example of this.

So basically what you said is right. Additionally, neither one is an elite shooter but they are elite scorers. They both score most of their goals right around the net. Crosby has an elite backhand, but that's not something that gets used a ton.

 

[FDBluth]

McDavid looks like he has the physical tools/body type to become an elite shooter. He has pretty much the same body type as Stamkos. Will be interesting to see how that part of his game develops. I've seen him unleash some wicked wrist shots as well. But his game doesn't focus much on shooting from the outside.

 

[Frank the Tank]

McDavid looks like he has the physical tools/body type to become an elite shooter. He has pretty much the same body type as Stamkos. Will be interesting to see how that part of his game develops. I've seen him unleash some wicked wrist shots as well. But his game doesn't focus much on shooting from the outside.

I remember when people pointed to faceoffs and outside shooting as weaknesses in Crosby's game. He then worked the entire offseason to turn these weaknesses into a strengths (or at least eliminated the weaknesses). No doubt McDavid has the same motivation and ability shore up his weaker abilities as he matures as a player.

 

[YEGJuniorFan]

McDavid looks like he has the physical tools/body type to become an elite shooter. He has pretty much the same body type as Stamkos. Will be interesting to see how that part of his game develops. I've seen him unleash some wicked wrist shots as well. But his game doesn't focus much on shooting from the outside.

What's great is that shooting is something that can be vastly improved upon (just like Stamkos as you mentioned). He doesn't appear to need to use his shot very much because he creates chances with his speed and hands in tight. It will just be one more tool in his toolbox.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Crosby was very physically mature at 17, his lower body strength allowed him to dominate along with his next-level skillset.

McDavid dominates in a different manner. His speed and lateral agility is more impressive than Crosby's was but it's mainly since they play different styles. Crosby plays like a ultra-talented grinding style while McDavid plays such a fluid, skillful style. McDavid is at the point that Crosby was at in his draft year playoff run where he would single-handedly take over games and force is his will upon his opponents, just in different styles.

Thanks, I remembered Sid being exceptionally powerful back then (not that that has changed since).

Can't wait until they face off in the NHL, looking forward to a Sabres vs Edmonton game that isn't titles the "tank bowl".

Agreed!

Hockey sense/smarts/IQ is even between the two of them in my opinion. It's this that separates top end prospects/players from generational talents like these two. They are both so smart and are always one step ahead of everyone else. They make plays that others wouldn't even think of trying.
Skating speed is where McDavid has the edge. He is crazy fast and his acceleration is ridiculous. Crosby is fast, but McDavid is on another level. It's unfair to be this fast. It's even more unfair to have hands that are equally fast. And then to have the brain to make them work so well together is insane.
Crosby's hands are at a similar level. Where he has an edge is his strength. His thighs are tree stumps. Trying to take the puck off him down low, or battle him in front of the net is not fun. Just look 'Crosby against Spezza' for an example of this.

So basically what you said is right. Additionally, neither one is an elite shooter but they are elite scorers. They both score most of their goals right around the net. Crosby has an elite backhand, but that's not something that gets used a ton.

I agree that hockey IQ and the speed at which elite players process the game is what separates the extremely good from the generational types. The thing with McDavid is that I'm not going to call myself an expert on his game by any means but he has a damn good wrister from what I've seen. Even more importantly is that he can really place his shots. It'll be interesting to see what he can do against NHL goalies.

I remember when people pointed to faceoffs and outside shooting as weaknesses in Crosby's game. He then worked the entire offseason to turn these weaknesses into a strengths (or at least eliminated the weaknesses). No doubt McDavid has the same motivation and ability shore up his weaker abilities as he matures as a player.

Players that are driven to be the best always work on their weaknesses, that drive is part of what makes them the players that they are. It's probably a really poor comp but watching McDavid was not unlike watching Lebron James at the highschool level. You knock him for this or that while he scores 45 points and his team wins going away. The fact is that he is a young man who needs more of a challenge to reach his full potential. As competitive as he is he'll hate losing a lot of draws at the next level especially when they end up in our net. He'll rectify that in due time.

 

[Cyborg LeClair]

I'm most disappointed that he will go to Edmonton because I live on the East Coast so most of his games will be on pretty late. I still plan on seeing every NHL shift of his career tho

 

[JFA87-66-99]

Would Connor Mcdavid be a top 50 player in the NHL right now?

I ask this question because I'm hearing all the hype about "Better than Crosby at this stage" etc etc. I have the 2005-2006 THN yearbook were they rank there top 50 players for the incoming year, and Sidney Crosby is ranked #26 at 18 years old before he even played an NHL game. Doesn't seem that far off being that he scored 102 points, was 6th overall in league scoring, and was scoring leader (youngest ever) at the IIHF World Championships all at 18. Were do you guys see Connor McDavid being ranked if ranked at all for the 2015-2016 season. I mean he is blowing away the OHL playoffs. Just a curious question?

 

[Spawn]

I ask this question because I'm hearing all the hype about "Better than Crosby at this stage" etc etc. I have the 2005-2006 THN yearbook were they rank there top 50 players for the incoming year, and Sidney Crosby is ranked #26 at 18 years old before he even played an NHL game. Doesn't seem that far off being that he scored 102 points, was 6th overall in league scoring, and was scoring leader (youngest ever) at the IIHF World Championships all at 18. Were do you guys see Connor McDavid being ranked if ranked at all for the 2015-2016 season. I mean he is blowing away the OHL playoffs. Just a curious question?

I don't think he'll be ranked. The Crosby hype seemed greater to me. He might have been if he was drafted by the Leafs

 

[FlamesFan18]

I believe he can get 70 points which would be good for top 20 in the league points wise, so yes top 50 is very reasonable for next season

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Yes, without a doubt. Both he and Eichel will be top 50 players the moment they step on the ice.

 

[McMozesmadness]

Today, no... Give him the offseason to train and I'd say he's close.

 

[R S]

Yes, without a doubt. Both he and Eichel will be top 50 players the moment they step on the ice.

This.

Most definitely.

 

[1972]

Easily, Eichel too. Don't let there age fool you, they are already stars.

 

[RyanOhReally]

Labelled a generational player for a reason. The kid does things on the ice that most NHL'ers can't even do on a good day. There is literally nothing wrong with him as a hockey player. He's fast, excellent blade work, great hands and shot, Hockey IQ off the charts both on O and D, works hard, has a solid frame (6'1", 190lbs) and is a born leader

It sucks that he's going to Edmonton, but that team will be competing for playoffs next year, championship if they fill their holes at Defence and Goaltending, a la Islanders.

Top 50? Maybe even 20.