One player from each NHL team who should be on the NHL 18 cover

Edmonton Oilers: Connor McDavid

There’s no point in pretending this should be anyone else. He may just be 19, but Connor McDavid is already the best player on the Edmonton Oilers, and the second best player in the world.

Everyone knew how great he was going to be during the draft, when he was mentioned in the same breath as Sidney Crosby. The Buffalo Sabres fought tooth and nail to get him, but the Oilers stole him out from under the rug.

Although his rookie season was marred by a clavicle injury that made him miss half the season, his second half of the year was a marvel to watch. He scored an all-timer of a goal in his first game back, and against his favorite team since childbirth, the Toronto Maple Leafs, he had a five-point game. Despite playing in 45 games, he finished with 48 points and was third in Calder voting. It made many wonder what could’ve been had he been able to play the full season.

This year, McDavid is taking even further strides towards greatness. Through his first 15 games, he already has five multi-point games, with his most memorable one being his three-assist night in his first ever meeting against Sidney Crosby. His greatest attribute remains his speed, which resembles that of a fighter jet, and makes him impossible to defend against.

McDavid may not put up 120 points in his second season like Crosby did, but he’s always giving his team a chance to win. However, McDavid won’t vindicate Edmonton’s decade-long period of futility until they can compete for a Cup. They’re off to a good start so far, but a playoff position is far from guaranteed.