If you define the 'best' as being the guy you most want on your team, the guy with the most spectacular tools, you probably take McDavid, 20, because he is the reigning MVP and points leader and he’s expected to dominate for another 12-15 seasons. McDavid debate has no answer because you are comparing a young superstar with limitless promise to a 30-year-old player who has done it all. “If anyone can appreciates that, and the pressure and expectations that go with it. “I know he’s a humble guy, but to do the things he’s doing, is not easy,” Crosby added. Crosby said McDavid deserved the attention he received last season because “he took that next step.” What isn’t up for debate is that both players are respectful of the other’s abilities. More: San Jose Sharks' Joel Ward hasn't ruled out taking knee during national anthem Subban says he'll 'never' protest during national anthem More: NBC Sports eagerly awaits Ed Olczyk's return “The list goes on and on with so many good candidates.” “Hockey is such a team sport it’s hard to pick who the best player in the world is,” McDavid said. Crosby won the goal-scoring title with 44 goals (89 points), the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP and the Stanley Cup. McDavid, 20, won the NHL scoring championship with 100 points (30 goals) and was the league's regular-season MVP. “He should be proud of that. It's not easy to accomplish what he did.” “I have no problem saying that he was the best player in the league last year,' Crosby told USA TODAY Sports before those results were announced. According to TSN, he had 59% of first-place votes. 1 player in TSN’s Top 50 Player rankings ended when McDavid was chosen No. Just recently, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Crosby’s eight-year run as the No. For all the young guys around the league, you have to win first to be considered.” 1 is winning, and (Crosby) is a proven winner.

There are so many different factors that go into it. “I definitely think (Sidney) Crosby is still on top,” McDavid told USA TODAY Sports earlier this month. Watch Video: Three story lines that will shape the 2017-18 NHL seasonĪ growing number of people in the hockey world now view Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid as the NHL’s best player, and yet he is unwilling to wear that crown.

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