When it comes to legendary figures in hockey, Don Cherry is as iconic as they come. From his tenure as a coach and commentator to his loud, no-nonsense opinions, Cherry has never been one to hold back. In his latest podcast episode, he delivered a candid perspective on one of the NHL’s most electrifying talents—Connor McDavid. Cherry’s take on McDavid’s potential future as an NHL head coach has stirred the hockey community, as the legendary figure revealed why the Edmonton Oilers captain might struggle in the coaching role despite his remarkable playing career.
A World of Their Own: The Challenge for Superstars
While McDavid is universally hailed as one of the most skilled players in the league, Cherry’s analysis hinges on the idea that being great on the ice doesn’t always translate into success behind the bench. Cherry explained that elite players like McDavid possess a rare, almost otherworldly understanding of the game that others simply cannot replicate.
“They just go into a world of their own,” Cherry remarked on episode 295 of his Grapevine Podcast. “McDavid won’t make a good coach either. As great as he is, he won’t make a great coach because they just go into a world of their own.”
According to Cherry, players of McDavid’s caliber often have such a deep, instinctual grasp of the game that they may struggle to communicate and teach others who don’t share the same intuitive understanding. It’s a sentiment that has been echoed by other hockey insiders over the years—top players don’t always make top coaches. Their minds work at a different speed, and the nuances they understand come naturally, making it difficult to translate that knowledge to others.
McDavid’s Continued Excellence Amid Struggles
Despite this opinion, there’s no denying McDavid’s excellence on the ice. Since the Edmonton Oilers drafted him in 2015, McDavid has been a force to be reckoned with. His speed, vision, and unparalleled playmaking skills have made him one of the most dynamic players the NHL has ever seen. McDavid has taken home multiple awards, including the coveted Art Ross Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy, solidifying his status as one of the league’s elite.
In 2024, McDavid led the Oilers to their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance since 2006. Though the Oilers fell short of winning the championship, McDavid earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as the best player in the playoffs, joining a select group of players who have won the prestigious award without a Cup victory.
Even this season, McDavid continues to dominate, already notching 22 goals, 49 assists, and a total of 71 points. His drive and consistency remain unwavering, but could these traits be enough to make him a successful coach?
McDavid Reflects on Canada’s Loss to the U.S. and the Road Ahead
Off the ice, McDavid’s leadership and resilience are just as evident. After a tough 3-1 loss to Team USA at the Bell Centre in Montreal, McDavid remained optimistic despite Canada’s setback. The game was a hard-hitting affair, featuring three fights in the first nine seconds alone. It was clear that the physicality of the game would be intense, but McDavid downplayed any notion that his team had planned to engage in the brawls.
“Not on our side, no,” McDavid stated, addressing the pre-game fights. “We wanted to get off to a good start, get the fans into it. Pretty proud of all three of those guys to step up and do that.”
Despite the disappointing result, McDavid remained confident in his team’s chances moving forward. “It was fast, tight-checking, competitive, emotional… It had everything that you would want in a hockey game,” he said. “I thought, as I said, it sucks that it didn’t go our way, but it seems far from over.”
For McDavid, the fight isn’t over. Canada must win their upcoming match against Finland in regulation to have a chance at reaching the final. A win would set up a thrilling rematch with Team USA for the championship, and McDavid is determined to lead his team back to glory.
The Road Ahead: Is Coaching in McDavid’s Future?
While Cherry’s comments may have ruffled some feathers, they are rooted in a longstanding debate in professional sports: can the best players ever succeed as coaches? The transition from player to coach has historically been a difficult one, with many greats finding the challenge of imparting their knowledge to others more daunting than anticipated.
Yet, despite Cherry’s take, the potential for McDavid to coach in the future cannot be ruled out entirely. His leadership on and off the ice, along with his deep understanding of the game, could serve him well if he ever chose to pursue such a path. Whether or not McDavid could adapt to the nuances of coaching at the NHL level remains to be seen, but for now, his focus is squarely on leading the Oilers and Team Canada to victory in the present.
As for Don Cherry, his blunt assessments continue to spark conversation, reminding us all that greatness is not always easy to define or replicate.
Stay tuned to see what the future holds for Connor McDavid. Will he retire as one of the game’s greats—or will he take on a new role behind the bench? Only time will tell, but for now, McDavid’s on-ice brilliance continues to captivate hockey fans around the world.
While Don Cherry’s views on Connor McDavid’s potential as an NHL head coach are grounded in experience, they also highlight the unique nature of the player’s skill set. McDavid’s brilliance on the ice may not directly translate to coaching success, but his leadership qualities and hockey IQ remain undeniable. Whether or not McDavid pursues a coaching career after his playing days are over is still uncertain, but if the future does lead him there, he’ll likely face a different set of challenges than any player could ever expect. For now, we can only watch as McDavid continues to carve out his legacy in the NHL, one game at a time.
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