NHL question

tswoboda wrote:

If you’re answer isn’t McDavid or Crosby then I’m sorry but you’re wrong.

McDavid isn’t half the player Crosby is. They aren’t even in the same tier.

McDefenseless isn’t even in the top 10. He is a huge defensive liability because he simply has not learned to play a 2 way game. He’s constantly doing the McDavid Hover up high in the D zone looking for a stretch pass and breakaway. The problem is that while McDefenseless is doing the hover, his team is essentially on a penalty kill and Edmonton’s GA stats show what happens. McDavid’s +/- is terrible when you factor in that he doesn’t play on the PK.

Edmonton was giving up over 3 goals a game before Hitchcock took over. I don’t care how good McDavid is at scoring, unless he’s going to start scoring 3 goals a game, every game, he needs to learn to play D. In minor league hockey, McDefenseless could score his way to success. In the big league, you can’t and his playoff record (or lack thereof) shows it.

Hitchcock has made great strides already in improving Edmonton’s D and from the 2 games I’ve seen, McDefenseless seems for now to be getting with the program. He’s got a long, long way to go before he’s anything close to the complete player Crosby is.

Grouse

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

McDavid isn’t half the player Crosby is. They aren’t even in the same tier.

McDefenseless isn’t even in the top 10. He is a huge defensive liability because he simply has not learned to play a 2 way game. He’s constantly doing the McDavid Hover up high in the D zone looking for a stretch pass and breakaway. The problem is that while McDefenseless is doing the hover, his team is essentially on a penalty kill and Edmonton’s GA stats show what happens. McDavid’s +/- is terrible when you factor in that he doesn’t play on the PK.

Edmonton was giving up over 3 goals a game before Hitchcock took over. I don’t care how good McDavid is at scoring, unless he’s going to start scoring 3 goals a game, every game, he needs to learn to play D. In minor league hockey, McDefenseless could score his way to success. In the big league, you can’t and his playoff record (or lack thereof) shows it.

Hitchcock has made great strides already in improving Edmonton’s D and from the 2 games I’ve seen, McDefenseless seems for now to be getting with the program. He’s got a long, long way to go before he’s anything close to the complete player Crosby is.

Grouse

PP & PK don’t count towards +/- so your point about McDavid’s being “terrible” is simply wrong. I get it, you don’t like McDavid. Turns out not many people share your sentiments about his game.

I didn’t know PK/PP don’t factor into plus minus, so that’s a good point.

However, the point about McDavid being AWOL in the D zone has been brought up constantly by NHL commentators and announcers. Not just my opinion. Edmonton’s GAA for last season was a virtual tie for 4th worst in the league.

I like McDavid just fine, but raking him up with Crosby and leaving out Ovechkin and a host of others? Connor McDavid, 1 first round playoff series win, eliminated in 2nd round. No other playoff appearances. Alex Ovechkin, 10 years in the league, 10 consecutive playoff appearances, multiple conference finals appearances, Stanley Cup…

McDavid is no Ovechkin. Or Kucherov, or Point, or Rantenen, or Skinner, or Pasternak… He’s not even in the top 20 in goals and he’s currently got 1 more than Parise. Exciting to watch? Yes. Best player in NHL? Not even close currently.

Grouse

Nathan MacKinnon would get my vote.

Crosby right now McDavid..the kid is young,his defensive game will change with Hitchcock coaching up there now.
Austin Mathews and McDavid will be the next Crosby-vs-Ovechkin battle

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

McDavid is no Ovechkin. Or Kucherov, or Point, or Rantenen, or Skinner, or Pasternak… He’s not even in the top 20 in goals and he’s currently got 1 more than Parise. Exciting to watch? Yes. Best player in NHL? Not even close currently.

Grouse

Most of the guys you listed aren’t even considered the best player on their team.

Did you watch the game last night? Connor put on a show for you. He dominated and provided offense like literally no one else in the world can. Someday you’ll realize how special of a player he is.

Saying guys like Jeff Skinner are better than him is just ridiculous and makes it obvious you’re anti McDavid for reasons other than how he plays.

I’m not saying he’s better than Crosby… Just that it’s those 2 at the top right now, and number 3 is not even close.

McDavid as a center hovers up high in the D zone?