For the second consecutive season, Connor McDavid had to watch the Florida Panthers skate around with the Stanley Cup. Despite McDavid’s greatness, his dreams of lifting hockey’s holy grail remain just a figment of his imagination.
And unlike last year when McDavid earned praise and even the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in a losing effort, the 28-year-old star is facing criticism for his inability to be a difference make in the Stanley Cup Final.
But aside from McDavid registering only one goal in the Final, the Oilers lost, this time in six games, for reasons that far exceed the production, or lack thereof, from their top player. Edmonton lost because of mistakes, penalties at inopportune time and lesser goaltending.
Stuart Skinner, who reclaimed the net in Game 6 after being pulled earlier in the series, was simply not good enough. He allowed 19 goals for a goals against average of 3.97 in his five games against the Panthers. Many of those goals were off soft shots and due to miscues.
Overall in the playoffs, McDavid tied his teammate Leon Draisaitl for the league lead in total points with 33. McDavid scored seven goals and recorded 26 assists in 22 games. While his production wasn’t as off the charts as in the prior postseason – his 42 points rank fourth all-time for a single playoff run, he was still the driving force that led the Oilers through the Western Conference again.
McDavid can already argue as one of the best playoff performers of all-time despite failing to win a championship. He has 44 goals and 150 points in 96 career playoff games. To put his playoff production in perspective, McDavid has three postseasons with a higher point total than Sidney Crosby’s best of 31.
However, until McDavid gets his name on Lord Stanley’s Cup, something Crosby has accomplished three times, his legacy will never reach the level his skill and talent suggest it deserves.
Fair or not, McDavid will never be regarded among the all-time greats of the sport without a title, something hockey requires its legends achieve at least once.
So due to the pressure on McDavid to win a championship and the fact he’s still in his prime, it’s time for the three-time Hart Trophy winner as regular season MVP to seriously consider leaving Edmonton.
With one year left on his current contract, McDavid needs to put pressure on the Oilers to either get him a championship caliber goaltender or make it known he will sign elsewhere as a free agent. McDavid can’t afford to be loyal to a franchise that has failed to find him someone suitable at the most important position.
More pressure is on McDavid to produce in the playoffs than has been on his peers or legends of the past when they won.
Nathan McKinnon had 24 points when Colorado won in 2022, Crosby won one of his three Cups after tallying just 19 points in the playoffs and Steve Yzerman had only 13 when he captured his first title and never more than 24 during a playoff run.
Mario Lemieux was right around McDavid with 44 and 34 during his two Cup years.
You get the idea.
McDavid has done his part, but has come up short against a Florida dynasty. McDavid will be the focus, but he’s not to blame.
But understanding how his career will be judged without a ring, McDavid needs to demand Edmonton finally fixes its main weakness or he needs to seek that elusive championship elsewhere.
