James Lang-Imagn Images
Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid is one of the most talented players in the world. He had to become team captain for Team Canada in the Olympics over the final two games because Sidney Crosby was out with an injury. McDavid put up 13 points in the Olympics, and he was named tournament MVP despite Team Canada losing to the United States of America 2-1 in overtime.
In the last two NHL seasons with Edmonton, they have lost the Stanley Cup Finals twice to the Florida Panthers. In 2024, he was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner despite the Oilers losing the series. McDavid does not have a Stanley Cup title or a gold medal in the Olympics in his career yet.
Crosby on the other has a couple of gold medals and has won three Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in his career. Is it true that McDavid deserves criticism despite putting up big numbers for Team Canada and also the Oilers?
NHL Analyst Criticizes Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid for Not Winning the Big One Yet
In the 3-on-3 overtime, McDavid was on the ice with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, and they were not able to score. Bryan Hayes of TSN was being critical of McDavid not winning gold with Canada in the Olympics. He has noticed that he has been in second place often recently and it is affecting his legacy.
Hayes said, "Connor McDavid has got to get winning, because you have to be a winner. You have to have championships in order to chase that all-time goat status." McDavid this season has scored 34 goals and has recorded 62 assists. In 58 games, his plus/minus rating is 11.
Edmonton will most likely be in the playoffs again. If the Oilers were to lose in the playoffs and not win a Stanley Cup title this season, questions will continue to mount on McDavid if he will ever win a title despite the great numbers he puts up. This is going to get similar to when Dan Marino played for the Miami Dolphins or Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills.
McDavid no doubt is a top three player in the NHL. If he does not win a Stanley Cup title in his NHL career, he is going to be the greatest player ever to never win a championship. With that being said, McDavid is only 29 years old, and he will have a couple of more chances to win a gold medal with Team Canada as well.