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Stamkos: McDavid’s better than me

2015 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Six

Steven Stamkos

NHLI via Getty Images

It’s not just fans that are getting hyped about Connor McDavid.

McDavid has been getting high praise from superstars too for quite some time. When he was still 15 years old, Sidney Crosby noted that McDavid reminds him of himself. Wayne Gretzky called him “the best to come along since (Mario) Lemieux and (Sidney) Crosby.”

Even with those kind of statements in mind, Steven Stamkos’ recent assessment might be the highest praise yet.

“This guy is a special kid,” Stamkos told ESPN.com. “I think he’s better than me right now. I wouldn’t have a second thought on saying that.”

The difference is that Stamkos isn’t suggesting that McDavid is impressive for his age or has tremendous potential; he’s suggesting that a man that hasn’t played in a single NHL game might already be better than a two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner that has scored 276 goals and 498 points in 492 contests.

Of course, Stamkos entered the league with a lot of hype too as a fellow first overall pick, but when comparing where McDavid’s at now to Stamkos at the age of 18, the Tampa Bay Lightning captain seems to believe there’s a clear difference.

“Oh, he’s way better,” Stamkos said. “He is good. The best I’ve seen for a player that age.”

Fortunately we won’t have to wait much longer before we get to see what McDavid can do against the likes of the NHL’s elite.

Follow @RyanDadoun