There seems like a rite of passage between generational Canadian hockey players once they play with each other on the international stage or play together in the NHL, a torch of leadership gets passed. In the case of Connor McDavid, he grabbed it in 2025 after scoring the biggest goal for Canada since the 2010 Vancouver Olympics to win the 4 Nations Face-Off in overtime for Canada 3-2 over the United States on Feb. 20.
The torch for the modern era of Canadian hockey was first lit by Phil Esposito in the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union, and Phil passed it on to Montreal Canadiens superstar Guy Lafleur in the 1976 Canada Cup. Lafleur passed it to his linemate in the 1981 Canada Cup, Wayne Gretzky, who passed the torch to Mario Lemieux in the 1987 Canada Cup – quite possibly the best international hockey ever played. Lemieux passed the torch to his teammate on the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby when they played together in the 2005-06 season. And now in 2025, Crosby passed the torch to the best player of the new generation, McDavid.
When I read respected commentators such as Frank Seravalli mention that the 4 Nations Face-Off Final was unfamiliar territory for Canada, I smiled because I’m old enough to remember the politically charged 1972 Summit Series when Canada’s place as the best nation in the hockey world was in serious jeopardy. Even Edmonton Oilers fan, and former Oilers’ defenceman Ryan Whitney, got caught up in the patriotism of the moment when he tweeted out that the 4 Nations Face-Off Final would signal the beginning of USA domination in hockey. Who could blame Seravalli or Whitney for getting swept up in the political patriotism of the moment? The United States produces incredible hockey players, but Canada still produces the cream of the crop in the sport such as Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and McDavid – who came through in the clutch like many thought he would. (And a special shout out to Jordan Binnington who was money in the final game.)
What Could McDavid’s 4 Nations Face-Off Experience Mean for the Edmonton Oilers?
When McDavid scored that dramatic overtime goal to win the 4 Nations Face-Off for Canada, I turned to friends and said, he’s going to lead the Oilers to a Stanley Cup victory. It could come as soon as the spring of 2025. McDavid is going to take back his invaluable experience and share it with his teammates. Advice such as Canada’s head coach Jon Cooper gave to his team before the final game: “It’s all the little moments that will create one huge moment.” Or what Crosby mentioned about McDavid, “He does so much for his team and the league, there’s a lot of expectations. If anyone can relate to that, I think it’s me. I think knowing what he puts into it, seeing him get rewarded like that, is huge.” I also think the photo of McDavid and MacKinnon that the NHL posted on Twitter says 1,000 words.
It took a while for Cooper to find the right combination of teammates to play with McDavid, first with Mitch Marner on his wing, then Mark Stone and Brayden Point and back to Marner. I think the experience of matching teammates will only help McDavid realize he has something special back in Edmonton with Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse. Thanks to general managers such as Ken Holland, and now Stan Bowman, they’ve built the Oilers around McDavid, and he has the right players to suit his speed, quickness and brilliant hockey mind.
Related: Connor McDavid Will Benefit Down the Stretch From His 4 Nations Face-Off Experience
The Oilers are a close group, they’ve gone to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final together, and they know what it takes to get back there. With McDavid gaining experience at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and coming through in the clutch, we could be seeing him hoist the Stanley Cup in just a few short months. Considering the politics of the day, it might be an added bonus for a Canadian-based NHL team to win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1993. Now more than ever, I wouldn’t bet against McDavid and the Oilers.
