Oilers coach Paul Coffey has legendary words for Connor McDavid on Team Canada
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
Connor McDavid is about to play for Team Canada in an international tournament for the first time in his NHL career, finally giving him the chance to play with Sidney Crosby. Coach Paul Coffey compared it to the legendary pairing of Gretzky and Lemieux.
Earlier this season, Paul Coffey made a legendary guarantee that Connor McDavid will win a Stanley Cup in Edmonton, and go down as the greatest player of all time - surpassing Gretzky.
Paul Coffey speaks on Connor McDavid at 4 Nations Faceoff Tournament
In Coffey's comparison from a new interview it the Athletic, Connor McDavid will have an opportunity to learn from and work closely with the veteran superstar, like like Lemieux learned from Gretzky.
It's like the big dog and the young pup. It's no different than in '87 with Mario, a very quiet French-Canadian kid watching everything Wayne did and wanting to prepare himself like that and work hard like that.
- Paul Coffey
- Paul Coffey
There was a significant age difference between Crosby and McDavid that didn't apply to Gretzky and Lemieux, but when the older two stars met for the first time in Team Canada in 1987, Gretzky was an established vet and Lemieux was still starting out.
McDavid is on a career path trajectory to surpass Crosby, so it will be an opportunity to mentor and pass the torch to the next generation. The Oilers star still has a lot to learn from Crosby, who had sealed a few cup victories by McDavid's age.
Coffey continued to relay how highly he think of McDavid and Crosby - an elite class of players that keeps the game entertaining for a man that's seen the best talent up close for decades.
We were in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago, and seeing him and Sid talking, I walked by them and said, 'That's the reason I still watch the game - guys like you. It's nice to be able to see them go out there and show their stuff together. They want to be good for each other.
We think the world of Edmonton out here but this will be a real chance to see Connor play.
We think the world of Edmonton out here but this will be a real chance to see Connor play.
It's interesting to hear Coffey say that despite how good Edmonton is, McDavid will really be able to fly with this better roster. It's possible that the hockey world sees the best version of McDavid yet at this tournament.
The 4 Nations Faceoff begins tomorrow night with Canada playing Sweden in Montreal. It will be a fantastic event, and must watch TV for any hockey fan.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 11 | 219 ANSWERS Oilers coach Paul Coffey has legendary words for Connor McDavid on Team Canada Do you think Crosby will be passing the torch to McDavid for the Olympics next year? | ||
| Yes | 186 | 84.9 % |
| No | 33 | 15.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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