It’s shocking to learn that Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch has made a significant statement: Superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are now the greatest duo in NHL history.

In the high-stakes world of professional hockey, grand declarations are not made lightly. Coaches are typically measured, especially in the grueling postseason. But Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch broke that mold in dramatic fashion following a statement performance by his two cornerstone players. With his team surging and fans daring to dream of a Stanley Cup run, Knoblauch didn’t hesitate: “Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are the greatest duo in NHL history.”

That proclamation sent shockwaves across the hockey world. While McDavid and Draisaitl have long been recognized as generational talents, hearing a coach definitively crown them over such legendary pairs as Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri, Mario Lemieux and Jaromír Jágr, or Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, was both bold and controversial.

But with Edmonton back in the hunt and its superstars lighting up the ice, Knoblauch’s words may not be as outlandish as they first appear.

Since joining the NHL, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have redefined offensive excellence. Their chemistry, creativity, and consistent dominance over nearly a decade have created awe among fans and fear among opponents.

McDavid, the 2015 first-overall pick, has been the face of the league virtually since he laced up his NHL skates. His speed is otherworldly, his vision is clairvoyant, and his ability to control the game from the moment the puck drops is unparalleled.

Draisaitl, the third-overall pick in 2014, arrived with less fanfare but has emerged as every bit McDavid’s equal. Known for his incredible strength, lethal shot, and elite hockey IQ, the German center can both finish plays and dictate them. Together, they are two sides of the same golden coin.

During the 2022–23 season alone, they combined for an astonishing 281 points in the regular season and playoffs. And now, in 2025, they’re doing it again—just when it matters most.

Following a dominant playoff performance in which McDavid notched a five-point night and Draisaitl added four of his own, Knoblauch stepped up to the podium and spoke what many fans in Edmonton have believed for years.

“I’ve coached and watched a lot of great players,” Knoblauch said. “But what Connor and Leon are doing—not just this postseason, but year after year—it’s historic. I truly believe they’re the greatest duo we’ve ever seen in the NHL.”

This wasn’t just coach-speak. Knoblauch doubled down in follow-up questions, referencing their production, leadership, and the unique era they play in.

“It’s one thing to dominate the 1980s when the game was more open,” he noted. “But today’s NHL is tighter, faster, and far more defensively structured. What they’re doing is more difficult—and yet they make it look easy.”

Critics may scoff at any comparison to the legends of the past, but McDavid and Draisaitl have the stats to back up their claim to greatness.

As of May 2025:

• Connor McDavid has tallied over 900 career points in just over 600 games, putting him on pace for one of the fastest rises to 1,000 points in NHL history.
• Leon Draisaitl has surpassed 800 points himself, with multiple 100-point seasons, a Hart Trophy, and a playoff resume filled with clutch performances.

In the last five playoff runs combined, the two have consistently ranked in the top five in postseason scoring—even when the Oilers bowed out early. Their 2022 playoff explosion, which saw Draisaitl play on one leg and still produce 32 points in 16 games, remains one of the most legendary stretches in modern NHL memory.

Now, in 2025, the story continues. They’re both healthy, hungry, and locked in. Every game becomes another chapter in a historic saga.

One of the strongest points in Knoblauch’s argument is the modern context of McDavid and Draisaitl’s dominance.

In the 1980s and early ’90s, scoring was sky-high. Defensive systems were in their infancy. Goaltenders were smaller, less specialized, and more vulnerable. Legends like Gretzky and Kurri thrived in that open space.

Today’s NHL is a chess match played at warp speed. Teams deploy sophisticated neutral zone traps, forechecking systems, and data-driven matchups. Despite this, McDavid and Draisaitl routinely carve through the best defenses in the league.

“You look at how tightly games are officiated, how skilled defenders have become, and the emphasis on goaltending,” said ESPN analyst Ray Ferraro. “What McDavid and Draisaitl are doing today would be the equivalent of scoring 200 points in the ’80s. It’s astonishing.”

While some duos excel strictly on the ice, McDavid and Draisaitl’s connection extends deeper. Their respect for one another, their unselfishness, and their shared hunger to bring a Stanley Cup back to Edmonton form the foundation of their greatness.

“We push each other,” Draisaitl said earlier this season. “There’s no ego. We both want to be the best, and we know we can only do it together.”

That synergy manifests in every shift. McDavid’s blazing acceleration often draws defenders away, allowing Draisaitl to find soft ice. Draisaitl’s puck protection gives McDavid the space to operate at full throttle. And when the Oilers need a goal, it’s usually one of them setting up the other—again and again.

To many, greatness in hockey is defined not only by skill and stats but by Stanley Cups. That remains the one glaring omission from McDavid and Draisaitl’s resume—so far.

They came close in 2022, reaching the Western Conference Finals. But injuries and depth issues derailed their run. The following season saw a frustrating second-round exit. Still, neither player demanded a trade. Neither complained. Instead, they doubled down on their commitment to Edmonton.

Now, in 2025, the Oilers are surging at the right time. Their stars are producing, the supporting cast is thriving, and the city can feel something special building.

“We want to win here, for this city, for these fans,” McDavid said during a press scrum. “Legacy isn’t just about numbers—it’s about winning.”

A Stanley Cup this year would not only validate Knoblauch’s bold statement—it might silence any remaining doubters forever.

Of course, calling any duo the greatest ever invites scrutiny and comparisons.

• Gretzky and Kurri scored at an unreal pace and won multiple Cups.
• Lemieux and Jágr dazzled with unmatched creativity.
• Crosby and Malkin led a dynasty in Pittsburgh.
• Henrik and Daniel Sedin brought symphonic precision to Vancouver’s top line.

But McDavid and Draisaitl’s longevity, versatility, and production—despite a harder era—give them a unique edge. As Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said, “They’re doing what others did in tougher circumstances and for longer stretches. That has to count for something.”

If the Oilers are to finish what they started, McDavid and Draisaitl will have to maintain their form through another grueling month of playoff hockey. But based on what they’ve shown so far, few would bet against them.

The duo has already rewritten the record books in Edmonton. They’ve restored relevance to a franchise once adrift. And they’ve turned the Oilers into appointment viewing again.

“The way they play,” Knoblauch said, “you can’t take your eyes off them. They’re a coach’s dream—and a nightmare for opponents.”

Whether or not fans outside Edmonton accept Knoblauch’s claim remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: if the Oilers go all the way this spring, McDavid and Draisaitl won’t just be the best duo of this era—they’ll become the standard against which all others are measured.

Kris Knoblauch’s statement may have been shocking, but it was not without substance. McDavid and Draisaitl’s partnership has become a force of nature, an alliance of two once-in-a-generation players peaking together.

Should they finally hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup this year, his words will become prophecy. If not, their legacy is still secure—but the debate will rage on.

One thing is undeniable: the hockey world is witnessing something historic. And if you blink, you might miss greatness in motion.