Don Cherry has been talking up Connor McDavid for a long time and he knew it was just a matter of time before he exploded onto the NHL scene.
Appearing on Coach’s Corner with host Ron MacLean, Cherry scoffed at those who were concerned with McDavid’s slow start and raved about the highly touted Edmonton Oilers rookie.
“This kid is going to be a superstar,” Cherry said. “He wasn’t that good the first three games, (but) every 20 years, a guy like this comes along. Edmonton is so lucky to have him.”
After going pointless in three of his first four games, the 18-year-old Oilers forward has caught fire, registering points in seven straight games and tallying 11 points in total over that stretch.
Entering Saturday’s action, he ranks in a tie for sixth in the NHL in scoring, averaging more than a point per game, and leads all rookies in points.
Otherwise, Cherry took some time to praise a handful of other players, including Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse, Montreal Canadiens forward Dale Weise, a trio of grinders on the New York Islanders, and Winnipeg Jets goaltender Michael Hutchinson.
“This guy never quits,” Cherry said of Hutchinson. “I saw him play in the GTHL. This guy is sensational. He spent three years (in the AHL) and earned the No. 1 (job). I like them to earn their way.”
