At 7 p.m. EST in downtown Pittsburgh, the next chapter in the Sidney Crosby versus Connor McDavid debate will commence. The former may have the crown but the latter has the youth and the talent to take it. While these two quiet, generational talents may share comparisons for the next century, they will never speak of it that way. Each compliments the other while night in and night out they continue to have fans sit on the edge of their seats as they watch once-in-a-lifetime players.
“I would say Sidney Crosby” McDavid answered when asked in early September who the best player in the world is, via NHL.com.
Crosby isn't quite as direct, but has nonetheless been in McDavid's corner since he broke into the league. After all, Crosby knows the feeling. In McDavid's rookie season two years ago, Crosby was asked what it was like when he came into the league ten years ago, via NHL.com.
“There are a lot of things that go into it. I think when you're in it you don't necessarily realize it, and that's where the responsibility of the people around you is so important. When you talk about adjusting and expectations and those things, that's why your surroundings have such a big impact on how you do on the ice.”
Crosby finished the interview by saying he wasn't concerned about (McDavid), adding “He's a special player.”
The statistics from their first two seasons are comparable, but Crosby has the edge. Through two seasons, Crosby averaged 0.47 goals per game and 1.39 points per game. Meanwhile, McDavid through two seasons averaged 0.36 GPG and 1.17 PPG. It's worth noting, however, that Crosby had Mario Lemieux by his side in his rookie season and Evgeni Malkin in his sophomore season and battled virtually zero injuries while conversely, McDavid missed 37 games his rookie season and didn't have the complimentary star power. Their accolades through two years, however, are eerily similar.
Both missed out on the Calder Trophy (most valuable rookie) in their respective first seasons, with McDavid losing to Artemi Panarin and Crosby losing to Alex Ovechkin. However, they both exploded in their sophomore seasons to hoist the more important Hart and Art Ross trophies. They both led their teams to the playoffs as well. In Crosby's third season he went to the Stanley Cup final. Could McDavid follow suit?
The Oilers roster is reminiscent of what Crosby had as he led the Penguins to the finals in 2007-08. A deep forward group comprised of both young stars and savvy veterans, a dependable blue-line and a solid, but not exactly elite goalie. Think McDavid with Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins, and Lucic. While Crosby had Malkin, Armstrong and Recchi. The Oilers certainly boast the talent in a wide open Western Conference, but they've started off slow (2-5).
Nevertheless, as hockey fans there is only one thing to do: sit back and enjoy. It's not often we're blessed with the opportunity to watch two generational talents face off. It's unfortunate they don't see each other more often by being in the same conference.
Then again, think about Crosby facing off with his heir to the league's throne, McDavid in the 2018 finals.
One can only hope.
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