Wayne Gretzky Names Connor McDavid Best Player After Oilers Stanley Cup Win

Following Game 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, NHL legend Wayne Gretzky publicly hailed Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid as the best player in hockey today, praising his unselfish play, leadership, and passion for winning a Stanley Cup. McDavid’s pivotal performance included setting up the overtime game-winning goal by teammate Leon Draisaitl, securing a 4-3 comeback victory over the Florida Panthers. Gretzky emphasized McDavid’s positive impact both on and off the ice, noting his love for Edmonton and his role as a great ambassador for the sport. The praise carries significant weight given Gretzky’s own storied success with the Oilers in the 1980s, and it has fueled comparisons between McDavid and Gretzky himself. The Oilers are now looking to end their championship drought since 1990, with McDavid leading the charge in a highly physical and competitive series. Gretzky’s endorsement underscores McDavid’s status as a generational talent and a central figure in the NHL’s present and future.