Who will be the next "Best Player in the World"?

[RustyCat]

Counter point: who was the last player who was the best player in the world in large part because of his two-way game?

I don't disagree with you, he has looked amazing as a rookie, but the last few best players in the world (for multiple seasons) have undeniably been the best offensive players. McDavid, Crosby, Ovechkin, Lemieux, Gretzky.

Fair point. That is your answer in bold, and the kid appears to have all the ingedients to put up elite offensive numbers playing a two-way game, like Crosby has done. Stylistically, Celebrini reminds me of a Sakic/Crosby hybrid

 

[McShogun99]

Some 14 year old from Saskatchewan.

 

[LeProspector]

No they shouldn’t, McKenna is still a year away from being drafted, so compare with Bédard the year prior to his draft eligible year.

Bedard’s 15 year old season: 28pts in 15GP
Bedard’s 16year old season: 100pts in 62GP
Bedards 17 year old season (draft season): 143pts in 57GP
Bedards 18 year old season: NHL

McKenna’s 15 year old season: 18pts in 16GP
McKenna’s 16 year old season: 97pts in 61GP
McKenna’s 17 year old season: 106 in 51GP
McKenna’s 18 year old season (draft season): TBA

 

[Romang67]

Fair point. That is your answer in bold, and the kid appears to have all the ingedients to put up elite offensive numbers playing a two-way game, like Crosby has done. Stylistically, Celebrini reminds me of a Sakic/Crosby hybrid

I don't think Crosby was ever a great defensive player AND the best player in the world at the same time. I think McDavid had taken over the title by the time Crosby became a great defensive player.

But that's just my personal opinion. I can see the argument for saying that his defense was strong enough in the two seasons before McDavid became the best player in the world to qualify.

 

[daver]

delete

 

[LeProspector]

What sounds more reasonable to compare?

1. McKenna's 2nd WHL season where he was 7 months older to Bedard's 2nd WHL season

or

2. Bedard's 3rd WHL where he was 5 months older to McKenna's 2nd WHL season

The most reasonable way to compare is by the players birth years. It’s as simple as that. It’s how the junior hockey system works in Canada.

McKenna’s was drafted 2 years after Bedard in the WHL, but 3 years after Bedard in the NHL.

It’s so the NHL doesn’t employ underage talents. You have to be 18 to play in the NHL.

 

[Stealth JD]

One more step in his development needed before we can all agree that it’s Dylan Holloway.

 

[frontsfan67]

Currently, McKenna is 2nd in scoring with 32 goals and 106pts in 51 games, leader has 42 goals and 116pts in 50 games. There is also another guy that has 48 goals in 59 games.

McKenna just turned 17 I believe in December. Not even eligible for this draft. The guy who has 116pts in 50 games was drafted 2 years ago

2 years ago, Bedard led the league in scoring with 71 goals and 143pts in 57 games. 2nd leading scorer had 47 goals and 107pts in 68 games.

Logan stankoven that same year had 97pts in 48 games. 2.02ppg

Jordan Dumais that year in the Q had 140pts in 64 games for a 2.18 and nobody had him as generational. 2.5ppg with Bedard is very impressive but don’t use league scoring use PPG.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Bedard’s 15 year old season: 28pts in 15GP
Bedard’s 16year old season: 100pts in 62GP
Bedards 17 year old season (draft season): 143pts in 57GP
Bedards 18 year old season: NHL

McKenna’s 15 year old season: 18pts in 16GP
McKenna’s 16 year old season: 97pts in 61GP
McKenna’s 16/17 year old season: 106 in 51GP
McKenna’s 17/18 year old season (draft season): TBA

 

[Phosphophyllite]

Ivan Demidov
Connor Bedard might become the all-time leader in negative +/- before that though which is more impressive.

 

[Toby91ca]

2 years ago was Bedard's draft year. McKenna's draft year is next season although he is 6 months older.

In Bedard's year before his draft year, he was 3rd in PPG (1.61) while McKenna is 2nd (2.08).

They are or were at the exact same point in their junior career....difference in draft year I suppose simply because of birthdate. I guess you could argue he'd be pushing harder if it was his draft year....which is fine, but again, wondering the actual evidence that suggests he would end up being better.

 

[Toby91ca]

McKenna just turned 17 I believe in December. Not even eligible for this draft. The guy who has 116pts in 50 games was drafted 2 years ago

Logan stankoven that same year had 97pts in 48 games. 2.02ppg

Jordan Dumais that year in the Q had 140pts in 64 games for a 2.18 and nobody had him as generational. 2.5ppg with Bedard is very impressive but don’t use league scoring use PPG.

Yes, the guy ahead of McKenna is a couple months shy of being 3 years older than him. The #2 guy behind Bedard (by a country mile) was 3 years and a couple months older than Bedard....what's your point?

What is the relevance of Stankoven scoring 34 goals and 97pts in 48 games? Are you suggesting that makes 71 goals and 143pts in 57 games not look so good?

Don't care about Dumais....entirely different league....he's also more than a year older....he had 109pts in 68 games in his draft year.

 

[Indrid Cold]

Brady Cleveland

 

[waitin425]

Someone once said Ivan Demidov is a generational talent and I laughed and argued.

Now. I believe he was correct.

Ivan Demidov. Close second Lane Hutson.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

Whoever Pitt drafts after Sid and Geno hang’em up. Pitt’s due.

 

[Neil Racki]

Answer - none

McDavid is 28

I imagine it will be another 10-15 years before we see another true generational player

 

[TageGod]

Although MacKinnon has a chance to take the title from McDavid depending on how this season finishes, there doesn't seem to be an obvious heir apparent to the title once the current superstars get older.

What player under the age of 28 do you think has the best chance to wear that crown at some point?

Mack until he is gone. Gavin maybe.

 

[Ozakar]

It’s kind of crazy how we’ve had a bit of a lull for guys who looked primed for best in the league status. Someone mentioned in a Boldy thread recently that he might be the best winger under 25, with Raymond and Marchenko his best current competition. Which, as good as they are, is a far cry from a Kucherov.

Makar and Hughes are obviously awesome as defensemen and maybe Makar takes the mantle from the forwards, but the young forward crop doesn’t seem like it’s full of potential 120-130 point players. Jack Hughes is great, and I could see him maybe winning an Art Ross one day, but I don’t think he reaches the level of the top guys today. Celebrini and Bedard have that potential but as still a ways off. I don’t think there’s any answer that isn’t just taking a stab in the dark at this point

The under 25 category seems a bit arbitrary. There’s no significant difference between eg Bratt and Raymond from a generational perspective. They will both have their glory days within roughly the same time period.

In terms of ”who will be the best of generation Z” (which I understand includes McDavid) that’s an interesting question but really too early to tell as we still have some age groups that haven’t even been drafted yet.

 

[Bruce Granville]

Most likely hasn‘t even started playing hockey yet.
Makar still has 15 years…
How long did it take for Gretzky to arrive after Bobby Orr?

 

[nowhereman]

Answer - none

McDavid is 28

I imagine it will be another 10-15 years before we see another true generational player

You don't have to be generational to be the best player in the league.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Someone once said Ivan Demidov is a generational talent and I laughed and argued.

Now. I believe he was correct.

Ivan Demidov. Close second Lane Hutson.

Franchise level player, not generational

 

[Neil Racki]

You don't have to be generational to be the best player in the league.

ahhhhhh .. good f***ing call man.

I overlooked the call of the question

Unknown then .. Q Hughes is legit but hes 25 and McD is 28 so I dont think he will have a window

 

[PaulD]

I'm still enjoying the current ones..
1. Connor McDavid.
1A. Nate Mackinnon

No clear cut "best player in world" No McDavid , Crosby, Mario, Gretzky, Lafleur, Orr on the horizon.

 

[Regal]

The under 25 category seems a bit arbitrary. There’s no significant difference between eg Bratt and Raymond from a generational perspective. They will both have their glory days within roughly the same time period.

In terms of ”who will be the best of generation Z” (which I understand includes McDavid) that’s an interesting question but really too early to tell as we still have some age groups that haven’t even been drafted yet.

But we’re not talking about the best player of a generation, we’re talking about who has the potential to take over as the best player in the world and the older you are the less likely you are to improve. 25 might be arbitrary, but it’s rare someone over 25 is going to take a significant step toward becoming the best in the world if they aren’t near that level currently.

 

[nowhereman]

I'm still enjoying the current ones..
1. Connor McDavid.
1A. Nate Mackinnon

No clear cut "best player in world" No McDavid , Crosby, Mario, Gretzky, Lafleur, Orr on the horizon.

I'm blown away at how good Landon Dupont is already. I've never seen a defenseman that good at his age. He could be in the conversation, depending on how the next few years go.