Is Connor McDavid the LeBron James of Hockey?
'McDavid going for his first title should have the same intrigue as LeBron James’ first appearance in the NBA Finals'
Published Jun 07, 2024 • 2 minute read
Compare Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid to some of the greatest players of all time.
Forget about Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby; a New York Times columnist thinks Lebron James makes the most sense.
Basketball and hockey may have little in common, but columnist Daniel Nugent-Bowman figures “McDavid going for his first (NHL) title should have the same intrigue as LeBron James’ first appearance in the NBA Finals.”
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He writes: “McDavid is hockey’s Lebron in terms of making good on his phenom potential.” This potential was evident early on.
McDavid, now in his ninth season, was the first pick in the 2015 NHL draft. After just one year, he became the youngest NHL captain ever and won the scoring title and league MVP in his second season. He has five Art Ross and three Hart Memorial trophies to his name.
Like McDavid, James played for nearly a decade before winning his first championship. James entered the NBA in 2003, leading the Cavaliers in scoring, steals, and minutes played. But it wasn’t until 2011 that he won the championship—and then again in 2012.
“Yet for all of McDavid’s impressive resume and impeccable skills, it doesn’t seem to stack up,” writes Nugent-Bowman. “In fact, McDavid’s first trip to the finals might not even compare in the United States to Wayne Gretzky or Sidney Crosby reaching that stage.”
McDavid is the most recognizable player in the NHL, Tom Mayenknecht, a sports business commentator and host of the Sports Market, told the Times. However, McDavid’s appeal in the United States is not nearly the same as that of Wayne Gretzky or Sidney Crosby in their respective times.
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Despite McDavid’s many achievements, Bowman argues the Oiler hasn’t received the same notoriety outside of “hardcore hockey fans.”
The column mentions that Edmonton is “one of the smallest markets and the most Northern-based team in North America,” which limits exposure to the U.S. Two-thirds of the viewers in Games 1 through 3 of the Oilers’ last series against Dallas were in Canada.
The NHL hopes to change that by making McDavid the new face of the league. On Thursday, an all-access, six-part Amazon series featuring McDavid as one of the key players was announced.
The 2024 Stanley Cup Final is tomorrow night, and all eyes are on the Edmonton Oilers star, who is aiming to lead Canada to victory. Only the Florida Panthers stand in his way.
“People should be tuning in, even if their fan allegiances aren’t with the Oilers,” writes Nugent-Bowman.
“Connor McDavid winning a Stanley Cup in 2024 will certainly make him that much more recognizable, that much more appreciated, in 2025 and beyond,” said Mayenknecht.
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