From the moment Connor McDavid first stepped onto NHL ice, expectations were sky-high. Drafted first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2015, he arrived having already accumulated numerous accolades during his junior career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
Over three OHL seasons with the Erie Otters, McDavid amassed an impressive 97 goals and 188 assists. Before even turning 18, the dynamic center had already earned the OHL MVP (Red Tilson Trophy), Rookie of the Year (Emms Family Award), and multiple All-Star selections.
Now in his tenth professional season, McDavid has achieved nearly every possible honor in the NHL. His resume includes seven NHL All-Star appearances, three Hart Trophies as league MVP, five Art Ross Trophies for leading the league in points, and even a Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP (awarded in 2024).
Realistically, the sole major accomplishment missing from McDavid`s list is winning the Stanley Cup.
McDavid has navigated the initial three rounds of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs with dominant performances. Heading into the Final against the Florida Panthers, the Oilers` captain leads all skaters with 26 points (six goals, 20 assists), holding a narrow one-point lead over teammate Leon Draisaitl.
In the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars, McDavid contributed three goals and six assists to Edmonton`s five-game series victory. When the Stars threatened to rally in the crucial Game 5, McDavid once again rose to the occasion.
As the puck spilled into the neutral zone, McDavid activated his incredible speed, needing just nine strides to reach the net before skillfully sliding the puck past Stars goaltender Casey DeSmith. This goal gave the Oilers a 4-2 lead, which they maintained in their eventual 6-3 win.
This goal was McDavid`s second game-winner of the 2024 playoffs; he also netted the decisive goal in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final.
Despite the absence of a Stanley Cup ring, McDavid consistently thrives under pressure. He became only the sixth player in NHL history to receive the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP while on the losing team in the Stanley Cup Final (doing so in 2024).
During the 2024 Stanley Cup Final series itself, McDavid recorded points in four of the seven contests. His Game 4 performance was particularly memorable, accumulating a goal and three assists in a decisive 8-1 victory over the Panthers.
McDavid`s 143 career playoff points rank sixth among active NHL players. He is second only to Wayne Gretzky in postseasons with 20+ assists (McDavid has two, Gretzky has six). He also reached 100 career playoff assists in the second-fewest games (90), again trailing only Gretzky (70). Furthermore, his career playoff points per game (1.59) is the third-highest in league history.
Adding to his impressive resume, McDavid delivered heroics in the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February. With Canada tied 2-2 with the United States in overtime, McDavid scored the game-winning goal 8:18 into the extra frame, securing victory for the Canadians.
McDavid possesses the unique ability to execute seemingly superhuman plays precisely when his team needs them most, a trait he has demonstrated repeatedly at the highest level.
While the NHL boasts many talented players, McDavid has undeniably become the face of the league. His playmaking artistry frequently leaves spectators in awe. However, the one significant achievement eluding him in his decade-long career is lifting the Stanley Cup. Should McDavid finally guide the Oilers to ultimate postseason success, it would instantly place him in discussions alongside the greatest players in the sport`s history.
