The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics wrapped up with Team USA capturing gold in a dramatic overtime win over Canada. For Connor McDavid, it was another moment of brilliance on the international stage, but not the ending he wanted.
Now, a Hockey Hall of Famer has weighed in on what McDavid must accomplish to truly surpass Sidney Crosby’s legacy.
How Connor McDavid Can Surpass Sidney Crosby’s All-Time Great Status
McDavid is widely regarded as the best player in the world today. The Edmonton Oilers captain was named tournament MVP and Best Forward in Milan, earning a spot on the Olympic All-Star Team after leading the event with 13 points (two goals, 11 assists).
His 13-point performance set a new Olympic record for an NHL player at the Winter Games, surpassing the previous 11-point mark shared by Finnish greats Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu.
With Crosby sidelined due to injury late in the tournament, McDavid captained Canada in the final two games. It was a bittersweet achievement. He added a silver medal to his résumé, but the gold slipped away in overtime.
The storyline felt familiar. In the NHL, McDavid has powered the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances, only to fall short both times against the Florida Panthers.
That’s where Hall of Famer Chris Pronger stepped into the debate. When a fan asked him on social media what McDavid would need to accomplish to be considered better than Crosby, Pronger offered a clear and direct response. “He will need 3 Stanley cups and 2 Olympic gold medals,” Pronger said. “That is what he himself is staring at. Driven to win championships. That is how we are all evaluated.”
Another fan questioned McDavid’s 0-3 record in two Stanley Cup Finals and an Olympic gold-medal game, asking how he overcomes it. Pronger responded: “OT GWG in 4Nations. He will be fine. This is a team game. We can pick apart every single player to lace em up. I could do an hour long podcast just on this subject alone. Too many players and not enough characters on here.”
McDavid himself has been open about his hunger to win. Earlier this month, he wrote in The Players’ Tribune, “If I can be real here for a second, I just want to win something again. That’s what was so incredible about the 4 Nations last year.”
Despite the Olympic disappointment, McDavid remains dominant. He currently leads the NHL in scoring with 96 points this season. While the Oilers entered the Olympic break on a three-game losing streak, they still sit second in the Pacific Division, firmly in the playoff picture.
McDavid and the Oilers return to NHL action Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks, with the captain once again chasing the one thing that continues to define the Crosby comparison: titles.
