Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid‘s place on a recent franchise-building ranking has prompted widespread debate across the hockey community.
NHL Media shared Mike Johnson’s top five players to start a franchise, placing San Jose Sharks star Macklin Celebrini first and New York Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer second. McDavid was ranked third, followed by the Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar and Minnesota Wild’s Quinn Hughes.
The list immediately drew criticism, with many fans questioning how the NHL’s best player could fall behind two younger stars.
Bleed Oil Blue reacted with disbelief, posting, “McDavid is 3?” The ranking quickly gained traction as fans defended the Oilers captain.
One fan wrote, “I like Mike but taking anyone over McDavid is laughable.”
Another added, “I think sometimes people over think these things. With all due respect to Celebrini and Schaefer, even at this stage in his career, the answer is McDavid and it’s not particularly close. Give me the next 8 or whatever years of Connor over both those guys. Not even a discussion.”
A third fan wrote, “McDavid and Mackinnon should be shared nr 1 anything else is pure madness.”
McDavid’s recent production strengthens that argument. He led the NHL with 138 points during the 2025-26 season. Celebrini finished with an outstanding 115 points in his second NHL campaign, while Schaefer posted 23 goals and 59 points as a rookie defenseman on the way to the Calder Memorial Trophy.
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Some other opinions also entered the picture, with fans giving a shoutout to the new generation of NHL players.
A fan said, “The children are taking over.”
Meanwhile, a fan mentioned Toronto Maple Leafs’ No. 1 pick in 2026, Gavin McKenna, writing, “Mckenna gonna enter the chat by end of the calendar year.”
Age versus Connor McDavid’s proven greatness fuels the debate
Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) looks to make a pass in front of San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini (71) at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Johnson’s rankings likely reflect long-term franchise value rather than current ability. Celebrini is only entering his third NHL season, while Schaefer projects as a cornerstone defenseman for years after his strong rookie season. Both offer organizations a longer competitive timeline.
Even so, passing on McDavid remains difficult to justify. He continues to dominate the league and has shown no meaningful decline. His combination of elite skating, playmaking and consistency remains unmatched. Out of his 11 NHL seasons, he has 100 or more points in nine.
The Oilers also enter a crucial championship window after McDavid committed to a two-year extension. That decision reflects his belief that Edmonton can still compete for the Stanley Cup immediately.
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Projecting future value always invites debate. However, franchise rankings should balance potential with proven excellence. McDavid has already delivered more than a decade of elite production. Until another player consistently reaches his level, many fans will continue viewing him as the obvious first choice to build a franchise around.