In all sports, the most legendary players in the history of their respective games are often judged by the number of championships they’ve won. Michael Jordan’s six NBA Championship Trophies, Babe Ruth’s seven World Series victories, Tom Brady’s seven Super Bowl wins, and Wayne Gretzky’s four Stanley Cup championships all highlight their exceptional achievements. Whether each of these players is regarded as the best in their sports is up for debate, but having at least one championship is a prerequisite for being part of the conversation. This is the objective Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid is aiming for this season.
Despite McDavid’s rapid ascent on the all-time scoring leaderboards, all the honors and trophies cannot compare to securing a Stanley Cup victory. This is the primary goal for McDavid and the Oilers this playoff season, and anything less than a Stanley Cup win will be viewed as a disappointment.
The Strongest Oilers Team of the McDavid Era
Despite the criticism directed at Oilers general manager Ken Holland, the 2023-24 edition of the Oilers is the best team under his management. Whether they can secure the Stanley Cup remains uncertain, but this is the most formidable group of players assembled around McDavid since his first overall selection in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Headlined by fellow star Leon Draisaitl, the team is as deep as it has been since the 2006 Oilers team that reached Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. The current roster boasts 50-goal scorer Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Mattias Ekholm, Evan Bouchard, and Stuart Skinner, making up a strong group of Oilers players. The question remains: are they capable of winning it all?
Many of Hockey’s Greatest Names Have Won Championships
Looking at the history of hockey’s greatest players, most of them have won the Stanley Cup. From Maurice Richard, Gordie Howe, and Bobby Orr to Gretzky, Mark Messier, Mario Lemieux, Martin Brodeur, and Sidney Crosby, all have achieved this prestigious feat and are considered among the sport’s legends.