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Center Connor McDavid (97) celebrates his goal against the Dallas Stars during the first period in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final. | Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

Is this finally Connor McDavid's Stanley Cup moment?

By Zach Wadley | Last updated May 30, 2025 3:15 PM ET

Except for a few superstars, the toughest hardware for the greatest in sports to win is most often a team title. Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid knows the struggle.

The best player in the NHL has a robust resume featuring five Art Ross trophies, four Ted Lindsay awards, three Hart Memorial trophies, a Conn Smythe Trophy and seven All-Star Game appearances. It's a career's worth of work at the ripe age of just 28.

The only glaring omission? A coveted Stanley Cup. McDavid has another crack at one this season when the Oilers again play the Florida Panthers — the team that defeated them in seven games for the coveted hardware last season.

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final is Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Edmonton (TNT, truTV and Max).

“Those games can be emotionally draining, we’re not drained.”

Connor McDavid on what gives the Oilers a better chance at winning the Stanley Cup this year. pic.twitter.com/6AEbA28Xwj
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 30, 2025

Does McDavid need a Stanley Cup to cement his status as one of the all-time greats? It's an age-old question in sports. As a society, we value winning. Give Hockey Hall of Famers Marcel Dionne or Pavel Bure a Cup and the conversation around their careers would change dramatically.

Should McDavid win, he will finally have his first title in his 10th season. Along the way, there has been a loss in the conference finals, a Stanley Cup Final defeat and a handful of early-round exits.

While the waiting is hard for superstars, it's not uncommon. Michael Jordan is glorified for his 6-0 record in NBA Finals, but he didn't reach a Finals until his seventh season. Wayne Gretzky didn't win his first Stanley Cup until his fifth season in the NHL. Peyton Manning didn't win his first Super Bowl until his ninth season in the NFL.

But once each player won a championship, it guaranteed the conversation about them would always be about how they were one of the greatest of all time.

Imagine if former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, also a Hall of Famer, won just one of the four Super Bowls he played in. Would he be considered among the top-five QBs of all time? Top 10? At the very least, the conversation about him would be more positive than negative.

Ten seasons in, and McDavid can erase the "yeah but..." from any future conversation regarding his status among the NHL's all-time greats. Four wins is all it takes.

He has come so close, and it feels like it's his time as hockey's generational superstar to be on top. The Oilers have a deep roster, Stanley Cup experience and the game's biggest star.

The stars are aligned. Is it finally McDavid's turn?

Zach Wadley

Zach Wadley's sportswriting career began at the age of 12 when he started covering Little League games for his local newspaper. Since then, he's worked in the sports information field where he merged his love of writing, social media, and broadcasting. He is a graduate of Anderson University (IN).

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