The past 15 months may have been the greatest of Sidney Crosby’s career. He led the Penguin’s to the franchise’s 4th Stanley Cup in June, Team Canada to World Cup Gold in September, and was named the MVP of both events.

Crosby reinforced the majority belief the he remains the best player in the world, and that there is not even a close second.

Crosby has continued this success into the 2016-17 season leading the NHL in goals and points per game. He is running away with the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leader in goals, he may just win the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s point leader, but he is not the NHL’s MVP.

Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers has led the NHL in scoring throughout most of the current season. While his scoring is impressive, points are not the greatest argument McDavid has to win the hart Trophy.

The Edmonton Oilers have been the laughing stock of the NHL over the past 10 years as they continued to sink in the standings and make nothing out of the young talent they drafted.

The Oilers have selected 1st overall in the NHL entry draft a record 4 times since 2010. None of the players selected were able to turn things around until the team was lucky enough to select the best prospect since Crosby, 1st overall in 2015.

The acquisition of McDavid turned a team in constant rebuild into an instant contender. Barring a dramatic collapse, the Oilers are on their way to the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

McDavid has affected the Oilers direct success on the ice more than anyone could imagine. When McDavid is on the ice the Oilers possess the puck over 56% of the time, but when he is on the bench the team only possesses the puck 42%, one of the worst figures in the league.
The Oilers are two completely different teams with and without out McDavid. While the Penguins would not be as dynamic without Crosby, the Oilers would still be picking 1st overall for the foreseeable future if not for McDavid.