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Tavares: I’ve ‘never seen anyone’ change gears like McDavid

Erie Otters v London Knights

Connor McDavid

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Barring a trade, the New York Islanders don’t have a shot of getting top 2015 draft prospect Connor McDavid after dealing their first rounder to the Buffalo Sabres last season. Even if that wasn’t the case, Islanders captain John Tavares would much rather lead his team back into the playoffs than hope to win the draft lottery.

At the same time, Tavares has seen firsthand what McDavid can do and it’s impressed him.

“The way he changes gears, I’ve never seen anyone like that,” Tavares told the Toronto Star. “I skated with him a little bit this summer. You think he’s at top speed, and then he hits the neutral zone and he has the puck and he just turns it up another gear. You really never see the way he brings speed.

“And he’s got exceptional vision, a way of seeing the play before it actually happens. Those two things are really what make him such a special player.”

This isn’t the first time a current superstar has showered McDavid in praise. Even two years ago, McDavid was drawing comparisons to Sidney Crosby...from Sidney Crosby.

Tavares knows better than most what McDavid is going through as he also got “exceptional status” to play in the OHL at the age of 15 and received a ton of attention for years before he ultimately was taken with the first overall pick. McDavid is projected to enter the NHL next season amid high expectations. Already some fans of struggling teams are eyeing the 2015 draft, hoping their club gets him or Jack Eichel.

Related:

McDavid, Eichel top Central Scouting Futures list

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