When the Pittsburgh Penguins come to Edmonton, it looks like it’s extra than simply one other hockey recreation. It’s a measuring stick of greatness between two unbelievable hockey abilities: Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. Within the pre-game interviews main as much as the Oilers/Penguins matchup at Rogers Place on Oct. 25, McDavid was requested in regards to the upcoming 4-Nations Face Off from Feb. 12-20. When Sportsnet’s Marc Spector particularly requested him whether or not he needs to be captain or whether or not it needs to be Crosby, with out hesitation, McDavid mentioned it needs to be Crosby. And deservedly so.
Crosby has gained every thing possible in hockey together with three Stanley Cups, two Olympic Gold Medals, a World Junior Championship Gold and numerous particular person awards. Now an elder statesman, those that get to share a hockey expertise such because the 4-Nations Face Off will enormously profit from simply being round Crosby, together with and particularly McDavid.
McDavid Has By no means Had A Mentor Like Crosby
The closest McDavid has come to having a NHL mentor like Crosby can be Duncan Keith. Keith was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks again in 2021 and the two-time Stanley Cup champion and Olympic Gold medalist did have a constructive impression on McDavid, however with a lot respect to Keith, taking part in on the identical ice floor and sharing a dressing room with Crosby may very well be transformative for the Oilers captain.
A Fast Historical past of Constructive Mentorship Experiences
For many who like to delve again into sports activities historical past, it’s possible you’ll bear in mind the impression Wayne Gretzky had on Mario Lemieux within the 1987 Canada Cup. Gretzky was already a a number of Stanley Cup winner when he was named captain of Crew Canada again then, whereas Lemieux was a younger phenom who was on the cusp of greatness. Lemieux witnessed first hand how Gretzky performed himself on and off the ice, and the expertise of taking part in with Gretzky (and Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson, Grant Fuhr) rubbed off on Lemieux.
Lemieux would take that 1987 Canada Cup expertise and soar to grow to be a two time Stanley Cup champion, captain Crew Canada to Olympic Gold in 2002 and cement his place as one of many biggest gamers who ever lived. Lemieux had all of the expertise, however taking part in with Gretzky, Messier and firm simply helped him discover one other gear on his highway to greatness.
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The same story could be advised of former Philadelphia Flyers captain Bobby Clarke. He performed on Crew Canada in 1972 and the expertise of taking part in with leaders equivalent to Phil Esposito positively impacted his profession as Clarke went on to steer the Flyers to 2 Stanley Cups within the mid Seventies.
One other instance of mentorship greatness could be present in legendary Nationwide Soccer League quarterback Tom Brady, who took his abilities and management to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and helped them win the 2020 Tremendous Bowl. You don’t assume greatness rubs off? It positively did within the case of Brady, who at age 43, led the Bucs to their second Tremendous Bowl in franchise historical past and his seventh Tremendous Bowl victory.
Taking part in With Crosby Might Be the Lacking Ingredient for McDavid
The Oilers have come nearer and nearer to the Stanley Cup shedding within the playoffs to the eventual Stanley Cup champions (Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers) the previous three seasons. Having McDavid grasp with Crosby for just a few weeks may very well be simply what the physician ordered when it comes to gaining the intangibles wanted to steer a group to the Stanley Cup.
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Crosby is 37 and nonetheless taking part in at a excessive stage close to the tip of his profession whereas McDavid, at 27, is in his prime. Having the expertise of taking part in with a champion may imply the world to McDavid, and that might imply a Stanley Cup championship for the Oilers within the not so distant future.
