PK Subban advocates retiring Connor McDavid & Leon Draisaitl's jerseys if they win Stanley Cup Final against Panthers

NHL analyst and former Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban made a bold claim, calling for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s jerseys to be retired if they prevail in this year’s Stanley Cup Final.

Subban, on ESPN’s First Take, declared the following about McDavid and Draisaitl:

“If Conor McDavid wins a Stanley Cup, Leon Draisaitl wins a Stanley Cup. I don't know if this is going to happen, but I'd be an advocate for putting their jerseys up in the Rafters. Right away, these guys have been a bit good.”

A bit good is an understatement.

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have all the requisite hardware needed to be considered among the game’s greats. They have Hart Trophies, Rocket Richards, Art Ross Trophies, and several All-Star selections.

But they lack a crucial one: A Stanley Cup.

That’s why Subban believes a Stanley Cup championship would catapult Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl straight into the Hall of Fame.

He added:

“Oh, immediate Hall of Famers. These guys are going into the Hall of Fame, and if they get it done, you may be able to add Stuart Skinner's name to that group statement, because it is a big statement.”

The overall sentiment is that both McDavid and Draisaitl have been generational talents. Subban echoed that sentiment by concluding:

“It is a big statement because that's how great these guys have been without having that ring on their finger. There's not one player in this league, that'll say that those guys don't deserve to have.”

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After coming up short last season, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl hope that 2025 is their year. The Oilers’ Game 1 got them off to a fantastic start as they look to win their first career Stanley Cup.

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl shine in Edmonton Oilers’ Game 1 victory.

McDavid and Draisaitl combined for the game-winner on Wednesday night- Source: Imagn

The pair had two points apiece in the Game victory. Draisaitl led the way with two goals while McDavid had two assists as the Oilers took a critical 1-0 series lead on Monday night.

Draisaitl opened the scoring in the first period with the fastest goal in a Stanley Cup Final game, notching his eighth of the postseason 66 seconds into the game. Then, Draisaitl ended the night with his second of the game, a power play with about 30 seconds to go in overtime.

McDavid got the key assist on Draisaitl’s game-winner.

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McDavid used his speed and stickhandling ability to find an open Draisaitl, who buried the one-timer to win the game. The McDavid-Draisaitl combination was money in the bank when the Oilers needed it the most.

The Florida Panthers will need to find a way to slow down McDavid and Draisaitl, as Kris Knoblauch’s decision to split them up in Game 1 made it extremely challenging for the Panthers to keep up. Oilers’ fans hope that trend continues in Game 2 on Friday night as the Oilers look to take a 2-0 series lead to Florida.

About the author

Nestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor’s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.

Nestor credits the Leafs’ playoff runs in the early '90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.

Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can't for stories.

When he is not writing about Canada’s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.

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Edited by Nestor Quixtan