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Wayne Gretzky: ‘Connor McDavid is mature enough to be the Oilers captain’

By Dave Stevenson

Oct 31, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Great One has a very high opinion of Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid.

The Edmonton Oilers are a franchise that has longed to have a franchise player ever since the 1980’s when they ruled the NHL with two elite centers: Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. They have lacked a true franchise center since they traded Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings and Messier to the New York Rangers.

Edmonton has been given hope by their first overall pick of the 2015 NHL Draft, center Connor McDavid. McDavid has already drawn comparisons to Gretzky. Gretzky thinks quite highly of McDavid has has been impressed by him.

"“I have a great deal of respect for [McDavid],” said Gretzky, via the National Post. “In my point of view, I think he’s mature enough that he can handle it at any age. I think that the best players in the game are guys that want that pressure. He understands who he is and the focus and everything that is bestowed upon him.”"

McDavid has been incredible for the Oilers. He had lofty expectations on him from the day he put on an Oilers jersey. So far, he has met them. He has 28 points in his first 25 NHL games entering Feb. 26. McDavid and Eberle already have an impressive level of chemistry. Much like Sidney Crosby with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, McDavid has looked amazingly impressive despite being a rookie.

The Oilers currently do not have a captain. They will likely name one before next season begins. Could McDavid overtake Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche as the youngest NHL captain ever?

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