Former Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane did not hesitate when asked who the best player in the NHL is right now.
Appearing on streamer N3on’s livestream on May 14, Kane gave a direct answer when the conversation shifted toward the NHL’s elite players. The veteran winger, now with the Vancouver Canucks after being traded by Edmonton before the 2025-26 season, made it clear he still views Connor McDavid as the standard across the league.
“I think Connor’s just on a different level than everybody else,” Kane said.
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When N3on pointed out that “everyone says that,” Kane doubled down.
“Yeah. He, I mean, it’s tough to deny,” Kane said. “I mean, it’s, ’cause he does everything. Like, you could have a – There’s other guys in the league that are kinda right there. Yeah. But, they’re missing that 10%, and Connor has that 10%.”
Kane also highlighted the rare combination of speed and skill that separates McDavid from every other star player.
“Yeah. I mean, he just does everything at such a high [level]… like, his hands and his feet move at such a speed and such a pace, simultaneously,” Kane added.
NHL Star Evander Kane just Revealed that Connor McDavid is Still the BEST Player on the Planet… Beside Him
“Connor is just on a Different Level than Everybody Else… there are Other Guys in the League I Rate but they’re all Missing that 10% that Connor Has” 👀
Real Fans Knows… pic.twitter.com/y4SZ8BsdGw
— ZayneClips (@ZayneClips) May 14, 2026
Connor McDavid continues to separate himself from the NHL field
Kane’s comments carry weight because he spent parts of four seasons alongside McDavid in Edmonton and saw firsthand how consistently the Oilers captain controls games.
Even during Edmonton’s disastrous 2025-26 season, McDavid remained dominant. He captured his sixth Art Ross Trophy after posting 138 points in 82 games while leading the NHL in both points and assists. Internationally, he added another achievement to his resume by earning MVP honors at the 2026 Winter Olympics after carrying Team Canada to a silver medal.
Connor McDavid (97) of Team Canada during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
What stands out most is that McDavid produced those numbers while dealing with significant roster instability around him. Edmonton’s season collapsed under poor defending, weak goaltending, injuries, and questionable roster construction. Yet McDavid still remained the league’s offensive benchmark.
That context strengthens Kane’s point. Several NHL stars can match parts of McDavid’s game. Some have comparable shots, size, or physical tools. Few combine elite skating, vision, puck control, and playmaking at the pace McDavid maintains every night. So far, he has 9 100-point seasons out of 11 in his NHL career, and only Wayne Gretzky has more.
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The Oilers’ playoff exit and organizational turmoil have created fresh questions about the franchise’s championship window. None of those concerns, however, have changed how players around the league view McDavid.