Player Discussion McDavid

[SwedishFire]

Back at the 80s there was only 21 teams. Just five teams didnt play playoffs. And being one of those teams is like really bad.

Pittsbirgh bought themsself to a cup.
Get Francis, Trottier, Tocchet, U Samuelsson.
Our compared is Leon(2C)Hyman, Kane, but misses that rugged Dman.
Thats a differ.

Wven comparing to history, Holland is behind the agenda.

The D need is real, even if its Luke Schenn, they should get it done.

Ulf was a bit offensive as well, but had strength at defense.
They should get a Gavrikov or McCabe. Dont know other Dmans that I would lime. Gudas seems to be a bit penalty taking.

 

[Rengorlex]

Some highlights. McDavid is having one of the best seasons in NHL history.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I know he's just amazing, but he's 10 goals off 50 and 12 points off 100, he's played 48 games. What a year.

 

[Arpeggio]

Some highlights. McDavid is having one of the best seasons in NHL history.

The play at 2:35 is unreal, both him and the defender are moving at basically the same speed, turn at the exact same time, and then McDavid generates a ton of separation in just a couple of cross overs. Generational shit.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

The play at 2:35 is unreal, both him and the defender are moving at basically the same speed, turn at the exact same time, and then McDavid generates a ton of separation in just a couple of cross overs. Generational shit.

I know it's overstated, but he's like gawd damned miracle on the ice with some of these plays.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I don't know if anyone posted these, but as new heritage classic unis I think they look great

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

McDavid's numbers remind me of someone else compared to his peers

There is it, sorry I don't know what happened there.

 

[FanOfSadTeam]

He is really good

 

[CN8]

Heard Berlin talking about watching McDavid at ice level and how his speed is even more amazing seeing it that close instead of even being in the seats. Just curious if anyone else has experienced seeing him up close and what’s it’s like?

 

[bucks_oil]

Heard Berlin talking about watching McDavid at ice level and how his speed is even more amazing seeing it that close instead of even being in the seats. Just curious if anyone else has experienced seeing him up close and what’s it’s like?

I was 2nd row for a game in DC this year. He even brings the opposing fans out of their seats. He's like a dart.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

Heard Berlin talking about watching McDavid at ice level and how his speed is even more amazing seeing it that close instead of even being in the seats. Just curious if anyone else has experienced seeing him up close and what’s it’s like?

I've seen a few athletic virtuosos in my life.

Back in 1997, I saw Michael Jordan Bulls take on the Vancouver Grizzlies

Watching Jordan live was f***ed up because he didn't move like a real person, he moved like a badly animated CG character. 4 players would jump for the ball, all at the exact same height, but Jordan for some reason would stayin the air longer than players who could jump higher than him, and retrieve almost any ball he wanted. He moved faster and in a strange way that didn't look real.

BTW, I was studying animation at the time, and I honest to god felt like if I animated Michael Jordan and handed his movements in, I would receive an F. he moved faster than the physics or physiognomy seemed to allow.


Back in 1987, I saw Gretzky live for the first time, and on TV I would say he just looked shockingly unremarkable.
When you watched Gretzky live? WAY different experience.

For starters, what you don't see on those old 320i Standard Definition TV's is how Gretzky faked the shit out of everyone by looking at places you think he would pass to, but then passes to another place where a player, tape to tape, saucered on his backhand though a maze of sticks. His eyes never looked where he was going, or where he was passing, it was like his head was up just scanning like a terminator.

On TV, I could see why people would think there was a league mandated conspiracy of "no hitting Gretzky" rule, but when you saw him live on the ice, you realise Gretzky was aware of any opposition player who was trying to line him up. Other players were playing for contracts too, and those guys wanted to win the cup too. They all said 'Trying to hit Gretzky was like trying to hit smoke'.

Not really a remarkable athlete, but watching him live was a much different experience than watching him on standard definition TV's where you miss how shifty, and deceptive he was.


Back in 2005-06 I worked for Tony Hawk. I got to watch him live several times during mocap shoots when I was making his video game. He has that same Michael Jordan thing where he would hang in the air for a LONG time. like.. strangely long (which is how he was the only skateboarder to land the 900 spin).

But he toured with another skater Lincoln Uyeda who could get the most air. He could get like 2 stories of air on a half-pipe. What was more astounding, was When Tony and Lincoln did the finale of their duo routine, Link got the 2 stories of air, and Tony would get like 1/3 of the height but Tony would leave the ramp before Link, and land after him. He just hung in the air for long ass time, and could pull off 2-3 moves in the time Link could do 1.



SOOO... Long preface:


McDavid is surreal to watch live because you REALLY see how much faster he is than everyone.

It was reminiscent of that bad-CGI looking Michael Jordan agility, but others older fans have told me that he reminds them of watching vintage Muhammed Ali. McDavid skates like a waterbug everywhere, and the opposition in a lot of ways are just sort of helpless to the speed. The only thing that can do is clog lanes, and block angles, but nobody has any way to contain that speed.

But the thing you maybe don't get a sense of on TV is how powerful McDavid is. He's not like Johnny Gaudrea where he's light and nimble. Nope, McDavid is a lot bigger than you think, and his stride is INCREDIBLY powerful, which makes his agility and he has probably the best hands in NHL history. People think its Patrick Kane because of his 500x deke shootout move. But the truth is, that's actually McDavid all the time, he's constantly tapping the puck and directing it at full speed with full control.

Not sure if you've ever seen Floyd Mayweather fight? but the way he fights is to exhaust the opponent for 6-7 rounds, and when he senses the exhaustion, he gets to come at them with full speed and pick their exhausted asses apart. And in a lot of ways that reminds me of McDavid. He just uses his speed to pick apart slower opponents in an almost unfair way.

 

[McJadeddog]

McDavid's numbers remind me of someone else compared to his peers

There is it, sorry I don't know what happened there.

Drai will get to 700 in 5-8 games from now (at 692 points in 606 GP right now) and will jump ahead of MacKinnon on this list. Barring something crazy happening.

McDavid is just shy of 800 right now (789 points in 537 GP), so will hit 800 points around 545 GP. So he'll have 100 more points in about 130 less GP than MacKinnon. I get that MacKinnon is great, I personally love his playing style, and fully admit he is a top-5 forward in the world right now. But the idea of some people still comparing him to McDavid is pretty laughable at this point (although admittedly, there aren't that many people making this comparison anymore).

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Drai will get to 700 in 5-8 games from now (at 692 right now) and will jump ahead of MacKinnon on this list. Barring something crazy happening.

Which is awesome, but look at McDavid's number compared to other, basically, legends in his time. It looks silly, what a player.

 

[Fourier]

Heard Berlin talking about watching McDavid at ice level and how his speed is even more amazing seeing it that close instead of even being in the seats. Just curious if anyone else has experienced seeing him up close and what’s it’s like?

I watched him from row 4 when he was 16. It was amazing even then. I have seen him from row 3 in Rogers as well and it is remarkable that he seems to just keep getting faster. But its not just his feet. His hands are insanely fast as well.

 

[McShogun99]

Heard Berlin talking about watching McDavid at ice level and how his speed is even more amazing seeing it that close instead of even being in the seats. Just curious if anyone else has experienced seeing him up close and what’s it’s like?

I went to the Golden Bears game during his rookie season and had row 1 seats. I was in complete awe of his speed and never seen anyone skate that fast before. He'd start with the puck in his own end, you'd blink and he'd be at the opposing teams goalie. I wouldn't doubt that he's even faster now.

 

[alanschu]

Watching Jordan live was f***ed up because he didn't move like a real person, he moved like a badly animated CG character. 4 players would jump for the ball, all at the exact same height, but Jordan for some reason would stayin the air longer than players who could jump higher than him, and retrieve almost any ball he wanted. He moved faster and in a strange way that didn't look real.

Is that the one where he scored like the last 12 points to erase a lead and pull out a win?

The funny thing is with MJ at that point is that it wasn't even him at his physical peak. One thing I love about Youtube is seeing highlights of the superstars (NHL or NBA!) I didn't see much of in the 80s and holy was he *explosive*.

His eyes never looked where he was going, or where he was passing, it was like his head was up just scanning like a terminator.

And yet somehow always had perfect awareness of where everyone was/could be (Like I see you say later XD). I agree it's hard to see on those old blurry videos uploaded today but was also good at avoiding those cheapshots. IIRC he said it was a skill he learned as a kid because no 16 year old was keen on like a 12 year old lighting him up haha.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

Is that the one where he scored like the last 12 points to erase a lead and pull out a win?

The funny thing is with MJ at that point is that it wasn't even him at his physical peak. One thing I love about Youtube is seeing highlights of the superstars (NHL or NBA!) I didn't see much of in the 80s and holy was he *explosive*.


And yet somehow always had perfect awareness of where everyone was/could be (Like I see you say later XD). I agree it's hard to see on those old blurry videos uploaded today but was also good at avoiding those cheapshots. IIRC he said it was a skill he learned as a kid because no 16 year old was keen on like a 12 year old lighting him up haha.

I remember reading in his book that because Gretz was so much younger and smaller than everyone (as an underager in virtually every league), he learned to just look at the reflections of everyone's jerseys in the glass.


(ahaha and no that Jordan game was just domination from Jordan from start to finish, there was no real point in the game when anyone thought the Grizz were going to win).

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

The thing with McDavid is you first notice the blinding speed which separates him from about 99% of all players. But then you notice the hands and processor which operate at maximum efficiency at that elite speed. Then you watch in game split decision making at top speed with full control of his body to avoid contact and opposition checking. His high speed penetration game with ability to analyze a situation, identify weakness and attack it is beyond anything I've ever seen ... and I grew up watching Gretzky live and endlessly on tv. McDavid overwhelmingly the vast majority of time makes the right decision at that elite speed.

Always take the time to watch McDavid in warm-up. His work with the puck is phenomenal.

 

[CN8]

I've seen a few athletic virtuosos in my life.

Back in 1997, I saw Michael Jordan Bulls take on the Vancouver Grizzlies

Watching Jordan live was f***ed up because he didn't move like a real person, he moved like a badly animated CG character. 4 players would jump for the ball, all at the exact same height, but Jordan for some reason would stayin the air longer than players who could jump higher than him, and retrieve almost any ball he wanted. He moved faster and in a strange way that didn't look real.

BTW, I was studying animation at the time, and I honest to god felt like if I animated Michael Jordan and handed his movements in, I would receive an F. he moved faster than the physics or physiognomy seemed to allow.


Back in 1987, I saw Gretzky live for the first time, and on TV I would say he just looked shockingly unremarkable.
When you watched Gretzky live? WAY different experience.

For starters, what you don't see on those old 320i Standard Definition TV's is how Gretzky faked the shit out of everyone by looking at places you think he would pass to, but then passes to another place where a player, tape to tape, saucered on his backhand though a maze of sticks. His eyes never looked where he was going, or where he was passing, it was like his head was up just scanning like a terminator.

On TV, I could see why people would think there was a league mandated conspiracy of "no hitting Gretzky" rule, but when you saw him live on the ice, you realise Gretzky was aware of any opposition player who was trying to line him up. Other players were playing for contracts too, and those guys wanted to win the cup too. They all said 'Trying to hit Gretzky was like trying to hit smoke'.

Not really a remarkable athlete, but watching him live was a much different experience than watching him on standard definition TV's where you miss how shifty, and deceptive he was.


Back in 2005-06 I worked for Tony Hawk. I got to watch him live several times during mocap shoots when I was making his video game. He has that same Michael Jordan thing where he would hang in the air for a LONG time. like.. strangely long (which is how he was the only skateboarder to land the 900 spin).

But he toured with another skater Lincoln Uyeda who could get the most air. He could get like 2 stories of air on a half-pipe. What was more astounding, was When Tony and Lincoln did the finale of their duo routine, Link got the 2 stories of air, and Tony would get like 1/3 of the height but Tony would leave the ramp before Link, and land after him. He just hung in the air for long ass time, and could pull off 2-3 moves in the time Link could do 1.



SOOO... Long preface:


McDavid is surreal to watch live because you REALLY see how much faster he is than everyone.

It was reminiscent of that bad-CGI looking Michael Jordan agility, but others older fans have told me that he reminds them of watching vintage Muhammed Ali. McDavid skates like a waterbug everywhere, and the opposition in a lot of ways are just sort of helpless to the speed. The only thing that can do is clog lanes, and block angles, but nobody has any way to contain that speed.

But the thing you maybe don't get a sense of on TV is how powerful McDavid is. He's not like Johnny Gaudrea where he's light and nimble. Nope, McDavid is a lot bigger than you think, and his stride is INCREDIBLY powerful, which makes his agility and he has probably the best hands in NHL history. People think its Patrick Kane because of his 500x deke shootout move. But the truth is, that's actually McDavid all the time, he's constantly tapping the puck and directing it at full speed with full control.

Not sure if you've ever seen Floyd Mayweather fight? but the way he fights is to exhaust the opponent for 6-7 rounds, and when he senses the exhaustion, he gets to come at them with full speed and pick their exhausted asses apart. And in a lot of ways that reminds me of McDavid. He just uses his speed to pick apart slower opponents in an almost unfair way.

Nice answer
I’ve always hated basketball but back in the 90s would always tune in if Jordan was playing

Nice answer
I’ve always hated basketball but back in the 90s would always tune in if Jordan was playing

The one that wowed me was seeing Brett Favre throw from close up…you could hear the ball fly

 

[Stoneman89]

I've seen a few athletic virtuosos in my life.

Back in 1997, I saw Michael Jordan Bulls take on the Vancouver Grizzlies

Watching Jordan live was f***ed up because he didn't move like a real person, he moved like a badly animated CG character. 4 players would jump for the ball, all at the exact same height, but Jordan for some reason would stayin the air longer than players who could jump higher than him, and retrieve almost any ball he wanted. He moved faster and in a strange way that didn't look real.

BTW, I was studying animation at the time, and I honest to god felt like if I animated Michael Jordan and handed his movements in, I would receive an F. he moved faster than the physics or physiognomy seemed to allow.


Back in 1987, I saw Gretzky live for the first time, and on TV I would say he just looked shockingly unremarkable.
When you watched Gretzky live? WAY different experience.

For starters, what you don't see on those old 320i Standard Definition TV's is how Gretzky faked the shit out of everyone by looking at places you think he would pass to, but then passes to another place where a player, tape to tape, saucered on his backhand though a maze of sticks. His eyes never looked where he was going, or where he was passing, it was like his head was up just scanning like a terminator.

On TV, I could see why people would think there was a league mandated conspiracy of "no hitting Gretzky" rule, but when you saw him live on the ice, you realise Gretzky was aware of any opposition player who was trying to line him up. Other players were playing for contracts too, and those guys wanted to win the cup too. They all said 'Trying to hit Gretzky was like trying to hit smoke'.

Not really a remarkable athlete, but watching him live was a much different experience than watching him on standard definition TV's where you miss how shifty, and deceptive he was.


Back in 2005-06 I worked for Tony Hawk. I got to watch him live several times during mocap shoots when I was making his video game. He has that same Michael Jordan thing where he would hang in the air for a LONG time. like.. strangely long (which is how he was the only skateboarder to land the 900 spin).

But he toured with another skater Lincoln Uyeda who could get the most air. He could get like 2 stories of air on a half-pipe. What was more astounding, was When Tony and Lincoln did the finale of their duo routine, Link got the 2 stories of air, and Tony would get like 1/3 of the height but Tony would leave the ramp before Link, and land after him. He just hung in the air for long ass time, and could pull off 2-3 moves in the time Link could do 1.



SOOO... Long preface:


McDavid is surreal to watch live because you REALLY see how much faster he is than everyone.

It was reminiscent of that bad-CGI looking Michael Jordan agility, but others older fans have told me that he reminds them of watching vintage Muhammed Ali. McDavid skates like a waterbug everywhere, and the opposition in a lot of ways are just sort of helpless to the speed. The only thing that can do is clog lanes, and block angles, but nobody has any way to contain that speed.

But the thing you maybe don't get a sense of on TV is how powerful McDavid is. He's not like Johnny Gaudrea where he's light and nimble. Nope, McDavid is a lot bigger than you think, and his stride is INCREDIBLY powerful, which makes his agility and he has probably the best hands in NHL history. People think its Patrick Kane because of his 500x deke shootout move. But the truth is, that's actually McDavid all the time, he's constantly tapping the puck and directing it at full speed with full control.

Not sure if you've ever seen Floyd Mayweather fight? but the way he fights is to exhaust the opponent for 6-7 rounds, and when he senses the exhaustion, he gets to come at them with full speed and pick their exhausted asses apart. And in a lot of ways that reminds me of McDavid. He just uses his speed to pick apart slower opponents in an almost unfair way.

Jordan at his peak. 1988 NBA Slam Dunk contest.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

Jordan at his peak. 1988 NBA Slam Dunk contest.
View attachment 644427

Such a famous image.. but it's kind of ridiculous.

Ever seen another 6'6" guy able to jump that high? While able to do like several pump fakes with the ball in 1 hand, outwait everyone in the air to fall down, then twist and change directions mid air like a video game double jump?

Like i said before..watching him live was like watching bad CGI.

 

[Hynh]

Drai will get to 700 in 5-8 games from now (at 692 points in 606 GP right now) and will jump ahead of MacKinnon on this list. Barring something crazy happening.

McDavid is just shy of 800 right now (789 points in 537 GP), so will hit 800 points around 545 GP. So he'll have 100 more points in about 130 less GP than MacKinnon. I get that MacKinnon is great, I personally love his playing style, and fully admit he is a top-5 forward in the world right now. But the idea of some people still comparing him to McDavid is pretty laughable at this point (although admittedly, there aren't that many people making this comparison anymore).

If he reaches 800 in 545 he will be the 5th fastest all time.

1. Wayne Gretzky 352
2. Mario Lemieux 410
3. Mike Bossy 525
4. Peter Stastny 531
5. Jari Kurri 558
6. Sidney Crosby 571
7. Bobby Orr 575
8. Bryan Trottier 580
9. Denis Savard 581
10. Dale Hawerchuk 593

That's the current top 10 for 800 points.

 

[Rengorlex]

If he reaches 800 in 545 he will be the 5th fastest all time.

1. Wayne Gretzky 352
2. Mario Lemieux 410
3. Mike Bossy 525
4. Peter Stastny 531
5. Jari Kurri 558
6. Sidney Crosby 571
7. Bobby Orr 575
8. Bryan Trottier 580
9. Denis Savard 581
10. Dale Hawerchuk 593

That's the current top 10 for 800 points.

It's always a list of 80s players and McDavid.

 

[Nostradumbass]

It's always a list of 80s players and McDavid.

And defenseman Bobby Orr. Really illustrates how much better he was than the rest of the league.

 

[Stoneman89]

Such a famous image.. but it's kind of ridiculous.

Ever seen another 6'6" guy able to jump that high? While able to do like several pump fakes with the ball in 1 hand, outwait everyone in the air to fall down, then twist and change directions mid air like a video game double jump?

Like i said before..watching him live was like watching bad CGI.

You were very lucky to be able to see him live, for sure. He's not called "Air Jordan" for nothing.