'He continues to get better': NHL all-stars discuss McDavid's greatness ahead of game
Jay Woodcroft is in a unique position.
The Edmonton Oilers head coach has a front-row seat — and behind-the-scenes access — to the daily process of greatness going to work.
And even in a season where Connor McDavid looks poised to reach statistical heights not seen in nearly three decades, Woodcroft concedes there are times hockey's best is taken for granted.
"Top of his field," the Oilers' second-year bench boss said of Edmonton's captain. "You almost become numb to the great things that he does because he just does it every day. I would compare that to someone who lives at the foot of Mount Everest.
"You don't appreciate the magnificence that you're seeing."
McDavid has certainly been magnificent this season.
The 26-year-old heads into the NHL all-star break with a league-leading 92 points in 50 games — 16 more than teammate Leon Draisaitl, a distant second in the overall scoring race.
McDavid is on pace to register 151 points in 2022-23, the most since Mario Lemieux's 161 in 1995-96 and two better than Jaromir Jagr's total from the same season.
He's also on course for 67 goals — two short of Lemieux in the mid-1990s and two better than Alex Ovechkin's 65 put up in 2007-08.
But despite McDavid's name dotting the scoresheet almost every time the Newmarket, Ont., product hits the ice, there's a sense his bar-raising performance isn't getting the appropriate level of attention.
"If he was that dominant in the NFL, NBA or MLB, he'd be talked about way more," New York Rangers forward Barclay Goodrow said. "I don't think there's another player in the four major sports leagues as dominant."
Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk remembers cringing at the thought of having to play the Oilers nine times during the NHL's division-only 2020-21 season shortened by COVID-19.
Twice in 82 games is enough.
"To just see how far ahead he is of the pack, I think we need to talk about it more," Tkachuk said. "I feel like everybody's just saying, 'Oh, that's what we expect.'"
John Tavares said McDavid's 41 goals — three off his career-high set last season — is what really pops off the page.
"A type of player the league hasn't seen before," said the Toronto Maple Leafs captain.
Tavares added that earlier in his career, McDavid was a pass-dominant centre capable of scoring because he saw so much of the puck, thought the game at a different level, and was always around the net.
"Now he's really putting defenders and goalies on their heels with his release, his shot, his confidence, the type of goals he's scoring," Tavares said. "That clearly has taken a step for him. Really impressive how he continues to get better."
Nashville Predators defenceman Roman Josi said McDavid quite simply isn't getting the accolades he deserves.
Why?
"Because he's Connor McDavid," Josi said. "There's really no words for what he's doing. Like, it's crazy. He should get a lot more credit for what he's doing. But because he's so good, I guess he doesn't."
Tavares said a lot of the hockey he watches is on TV late at night.
McDavid is often the star attraction.
"Every shift you're waiting on him to do something," Tavares said. "He has the puck that much. The skating is so dominant. He had 105 points in the shortened (56-game) COVID season — unbelievable to think someone could do that.
"He's pushing that envelope of what that pace was."
Woodcroft said that push has been accented by added layers to McDavid's game — namely a willingness to shoot more and accepting a more vocal role in Edmonton's locker room.
"He's leading the NHL in goals for a reason," Woodcroft said. "He's doing it in different ways."
Goodrow, who grew up in the suburbs north of Toronto and heard McDavid's name uttered inside local rinks long before he was the NHL's brightest light, said trying to contain the top pick at the 2015 draft is now next to impossible.
"So much faster than everyone else," Goodrow said. "You can do your job, you can keep him to the outside. But if he has that step on you, if he has that chance … it's tough.
"Fun to watch. Horrible to play against. But it's great for our league."
OH BROTHER
Brady Tkachuk will be joined by older brother and Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk on the Atlantic Division team at Saturday's NHL all-star game. They will become the 11th set of brothers in league history to play on the same all-star squad, and the first since Henrik and Daniel Sedin in 2012.
SKILLS WRINKLES
Friday's all-star skills competition will have the classics like the fastest skater, hardest shot, shooting accuracy and breakaway challenge. There will also be some South Florida wrinkles, including a "splash shot" event that will see players attempt to hit targets and send opponents into a water-filled dunk tank.
With files from Gemma Karstens-Smith.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 1, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.