McDavid undoubtedly the best player ever

Sr. Managing Editor of Hockey

Archive

Connor McDavid may or may not end up being the greatest player ever but it’s time to recognize this: he is undoubtedly the best player ever.

Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux all won Stanley Cups, all took turns as hockey’s best player and all belong in the conversation as the greatest – each of them recording numbers that will stand the test of time, all-time.

But McDavid is a freak of nature, standing on the shoulders of the greatest the game has ever seen.

Before your head explodes, let me explain.

First, for those who have followed this line of thinking before, you will notice a change in language. Previously it was argued that McDavid was not necessarily the best player ever, but his skills made him the greatest.

The sentiment remains the same, but the terms have changed places.

In hindsight, best is better than greatest to describe McDavid.

Greatest tends to connote things best captured in metrics over time. No measure has been conceived to capture McDavid’s magnificence.

We are witnessing history in living colour – blue and orange – with McDavid playing hockey at its highest level.

If you believe, as this corner does, McDavid is the most highly evolved player ever, then these playoffs represent another step forward. Because this is the best McDavid has ever played.

Better even than 2020-21 when he was the unanimous choice as NHL MVP. That was a regular-season honour. These are the playoffs.

It’s not so much about McDavid’s 23 points in 10 games this postseason.

It’s not so much about 21 primary points, six more than anyone but Leon Draisaitl has total points.

It’s not so much about a record nine multi-point games.

It’s not so much about a