The David McDavid-Connor Sweepstakes or What is Wrong with the NHL Draft

If you've been living in a cave this year (like I was) you emerged to find a Bizarro World of NHL standings, with the Islanders, Predators and Rangers leading the league in points. The top 10 scoring leaders peppered with unfamiliar names like Jacub Vorachuik or John Tavares or Tyler Johnson. But you have probably heard at least once this year of some kid named David McConnor (or Connor McDavid). Apparently, he's good. He's like, really, really good. He's been TSN's top pick since September 2013. He's so good, Rogers is thinking of creating a reality show around him called Hockey Night with Connor McDavid, in which the viewers get to watch this kid play hockey all the time, 82 times a year.

so good, he plays one on five. 

He's another 'Next One' and the Connor McConnor sweepstakes has made a mockery of the league draft and TSN's coverage team that borderline are stalking the guy. Sure, he's good but the attention he received has been Eric Lindros level idiotic. He broke his hand and it was national news. He's all but gift-wrapped to go as the #1 pick once we get all that pesky Stanley Cup playoffs out of the way. He's a great player but is he the NHL's next Sidney Crosby? And how does Sidney Crosby feel about being put out to pasture as the face of the NHL after 10 years? Maybe he can finally go out on a date with a girl.

My main point though is that the NHL draft is backwards to begin with. What is the point of him busting his ass to become #1 pick? He gets drafted by most likely the Buffalo Sabres, the Edmonton Oilers or the Arizona Coyotes.

Contain your excitement, Connor. 

He then has to play for a few years on a crappy team with a slim chance of getting in the playoffs unless he's with Edmonton. Only 2 of the #1 picks in the last 10 years have won the Cup. What kind of reward is that for a guy who has lived hockey for all of his adolescence, forgoing the mandatory get-drunk-in-a-parking-lot rite of teenage passage?

The #1 draft pick should be given to the team that wins the Stanley Cup, with 2nd pick going to the runner-up. Because let's be honest, coming in 2nd in the Stanley Cup finals wins you jack shit. They should at least get a top pick out of the deal, instead of just a handshake from the winners.

Here's the bonus for the league; The #1 pick gets to go to a team that knows how to win, has a winning coach on their bench and most likely adequate management that isn't living on past glories (hi, Edmonton). He's earned the right to play for a Cup-contending team, not lost it, as it goes now. Surround a player like McDavid with elite players and watch him thrive; there is even potential to pick up Gretzky-like points again. Imagine if the #1 is on a line with Patrick Kane and Johnathon Toews? Or Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf?

Now imagine if he goes to Edmonton? Where's his fantasy value there if he's on a line with Taylor Hall and Teddy Purcell? Or if he goes to Buffalo and earns -30 plus/minus between Tyler Ennis and Cody Hodgson? That continual losing wears a hockey player down. Every player in the NHL comes from winning teams. For many, the hard-core losing streaks that have happened this year to Edmonton, Arizona, Toronto, Buffalo have probably never happened to them at any time in their careers. They don't know how to handle it but that's another discussion.

The guy has worked his whole life to become the #1 pick and now the NHL is going to force him to contemplate living in Buffalo, wearing a Sabre uniform. The poor bastard. It could be worse, he could be playing junior again with the Oilers or living in the desert with Shane Doan wearing a Coyote jersey. There's even a chance he could become a Maple Leaf. Could you imagine the hysteria that would follow that tragic turn of events?

This table would have seating for eight.

So, please, Mr. Bettman. Make the call. Change the draft, for the future of David McDavid.

A look at past #1 picks in the last 10 years; starting with Sid.

2005- Sid Crosby-  made the playoffs the following year, Cup in 4th year

2006 Erik Johnson - made the playoffs 2013-14 w/ the Cinderella Avalanche. A big defensemen, he was never going to be the next Bobby Orr or Paul Coffey and plays like it.

2007 Patrick Kane - the first winner of the lottery system - Blackhawks went from 5th pick to 1st. Cup in 3rd year and Chicago still sends Bettman Happy Hannukah cards every year. Note to Connor; he's not a fan of Buffalo cab drivers.

2008 Stephen Stamkos - made the playoffs 3rd year, missed next 2 . He has excelled under the guidance of future Detroit General Manager Stevie Yzerman, despite having his leg nearly amputated last year.

2009 John Tavares - made the playoff 4th year. He's a poster-boy for the term 'build your team around'. Of course, by that it meant for the Islanders to acquire a #1 goaltender, 2 proven Stanley Cup winning defensemen, a few decent wingers and a strong checking line. So basically, the team you want in your fantasy league pool.

2010 Taylor Hall - yahhh.... Tyler Seguin still sends him Facebook friend requests that Taylor continually ignores.

2011 The Nuge - yahhhh....

2012 Nail Yakopov - yahhh....Filip Forsberg says 'thank you' in Russian and he will send you updates on what it's like being in the playoffs and meeting expectations.

2013 Nathan McKinnon - made it 1st year, same as Erik Johnson. You're young. You tasted the sweet immediately which may have caused you to miscaluclate how hard it is to make the playoffs. Now it's time to taste the sour.

2014 Aaron Ekblad - slim hope for this year but...don't worry, it's a short drive to Tampa to check out some playoff action.