At 19, Connor McDavid is already one of the best players in the NHL. With an unfair combination of speed and skill, the Oilers captain leads the league with 31 points in just 24 games. McDavid has single-handedly kept the Oilers from mediocrity.
The coach of the Winnipeg Jets recognizes the young star’s talent.
Speaking with Jets TV, Maurice admitted there’s no way to successfully game plan for McDavid.
“Everybody’s had a game plan for this young man. It’s not working. It’s not going to work for the rest of his career,” Maurice told reporters Thursday, per Jets TV.
Maurice said there’s nobody with the same ability as McDavid in the entire league.
“Maybe there’s somebody faster, I can’t remember. Maybe there’s somebody just as fast. But I don’t think there’s ever been a set of hands that went with that speed. That’s a different animal.”
There’s nothing hyperbolic about Maurice’s praise for McDavid. He’s the NHL’s top talent and he’s nowhere close to his peak. With more experience and talent surrounding him, McDavid is a lock to go down as one of the best players of all time. No matter how hard you prepare, how much tape you analyze or who you throw at him, there’s no stopping McDavid. That’s just a fact.
[theScore]