“He can only do so much”: John Buccigross believes Connor McDavid doesn’t need a Stanley Cup to cement his greatness

Until Connor McDavid wins a Stanley Cup, the debate will continue about whether he should be considered as one of the greatest of all time despite no team success. The Edmonton Oilers are tied 1-1 with the Florida Panthers with Game 3 set for Monday. After losing last year, McDavid is looking to silence his doubters.

He has a chance to replicate his childhood hero Sidney Crosby and Oilers legend Wayne Gretzky's feat if he wins it all this year. Crosby and Gretzky both won their first championships on the second try, exacting revenge on the same team that beat them in the previous year.

Gretzky faced the New York Islanders dynasty in 1984-85, while Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins went up against the Detroit Red Wings in 2008-09. McDavid and Edmonton have had strong outings; however, the Panthers managed to return the favor and also won in overtime in Game 2 on Friday.

According to ESPN NHL analyst John Buccigross, the Oilers captain doesn't need to win a Stanley Cup to be in consideration for the GOAT debate. Buccigross added that hockey needs more players to come together to determine a team's success.

"I don't," Buccigross said on Wednesday (08:22), via "NHL on ESPN." It's 20 guys. It's not seven in basketball. It's not 10, 11, 12 in baseball if you count a couple pitchers each game. Although you do maybe get a little more opportunity in hockey than baseball.

"But I don't. Like I said, a lot of the time it's right place, right time. For him, he can only do so much. He only plays about a third of the game. He doesn't play the whole game. So I don't look at him that way."

John Buccigross puts his money on Oilers and 'healthy' Connor McDavid

After losing Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals last year, Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch revealed that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl played through injuries throughout the postseason.

ESPN's John Buccigross predicted that a healthy McDavid, alongside a healthy Draisaitl, will be key as this years finals series progresses.

"I think he's healthy this year, unlike last year," Buccigross said on Wednesday, via "NHL on ESPN." "Leon Draisaitl is healthy this year, and that's a different McDavid we've seen this postseason.

"That's why I believe with their backs against the wall, how desperate they are as an organization, how desperate he is, that's why I think they get it done. I just think they have a touch more desperation than Florida."

McDavid won the Conn Smythe last year despite ending on the losing side. He is one of the frontrunners to win it this year with 26 postseason points (six goals and 20 assists) before the finals. This time, he hopes to brings home the Stanley Cup to Edmonton.