The future is now for Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.
The Oilers announced on Wednesday via Twitter thatMcDavid will serve as the club’s next captain. With the honor, “The Next One” becomes the youngest captain in NHL history at nineteen years old, beating out the previous record holder Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche by a handful of days.
The #Oilers have named @cmcdavid97 the 15th captain in franchise history. @27MilanLucic @ebs_14 & @RNH_93 will serve as alternates. pic.twitter.com/lARVfYozO3
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 5, 2016
The decision doesn’t at all come as a surprise, as ever since getting drafted first overall, McDavid was immediately thrust into the role of face of the Oilers organization. Media members constantly fawn about his leadership skills and maturity, and given this appointment, Edmonton must agree.
The Oilers went captainless in 2015-16, instead opting to wait for McDavid to accept the responsibility. The honor doesn’t come without some weirdness. McDavid is only 19-years old. Edmonton’s putting a lot of pressure on him naming McDavid captain as the Oilers still hope to rise above constant mediocrity. McDavid has never appeared in a playoff game and skated in just 45 games in his rookie season. Is he ready? It’s hard to know. But, the role of the captain in hockey is largely overrated, so maybe it’s not as big of a deal as it seems.
McDavid has all-world talent and might already be the best player in the NHL. The Oilers recognized that and made sure to give him a reason to be a big part of a hopeful 180 next season.
