Earlier this month, ESPN revealed its list of the Top 100 professional athletes of the 21st century. Quickly, ESPN was inspected for the ranking of Connor McDavid, who was ranked in 98th location — a disgraceful ranking to lots of Oilers fans. It may make fans feel much better now that ESPN has actually supplied a follow-up from its questionable rankings by launching its Top 25 hockey gamers of the 21st century. 

Related: McDavid Shafted By ESPN’s Top 100 Athletes of 21st Century List

Two Edmonton Oilers have actually made it onto ESPN’s ranking, with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl both protecting areas in the leading 15. Draisaitl, missing from ESPN’s leading professional athletes list, is ranked 13th. The German experience has actually developed himself in the NHL along with McDavid. Over his 10 seasons, Draisaitl has actually ended up being the most effective German hockey gamer in NHL history.

ESPN supplied a factor for their ranking when the area on Draisaitl kept in mind: “A three-time 50-goal scorer, he’s had more than 100 points in five of the past six seasons. In 2020, he won the Hart and Art Ross, which further cemented his status as one of the NHL’s best contemporary players.”.

Where is McDavid Ranked?

What about McDavid’s ranking? He bases on the podium in 3rd location, routing just Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. McDavid is amongst the elite of the 21st century. Hailed as a generational skill at simply 18, he signed up with the league and rapidly made his mark. His exceptional edgework has actually left protectors in wonder. With 14 prizes in simply 9 seasons, McDavid has actually definitely shown why he was identified a generational skill.

In concerns to his podium ranking, ESPN composed on McDavid:

“McDavid had long been an exceptional playmaker in his own right, but the way he carried the Oilers back from a 3-0 series deficit in the Final to force a decisive Game 7 was spectacular. And it rightly earned McDavid a Conn Smythe Trophy in the losing effort.”

Without a doubt, McDavid and Draisaitl are worthy of acknowledgment as elite professional athletes. This vibrant offending duo has actually been picked for the NHL All-Star Game for 5 successive seasons. Amid the online outcry over McDavid’s ranking, ESPN quickly changed their position. A clearer reflection of their skills appears in ESPN’s brand-new hockey-specific rankings. With both gamers still in their prime, will McDavid and Draisaitl climb even greater in the rankings next season?

Next: Conflicting Reports Emerge on Draisaitl’s Negotiations with Oilers