Greg Cote thinks Connor McDavid is overrated.
“McOverrated,” to be specific.
Last week, the Miami Herald columnist and part-time co-host of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz made international news with a column proclaiming the three-time Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP) winner an underachiever ahead of the Stanley Cup Final matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. Cote’s commentary drew the ire of hardcore hockey fans, including NHL analyst Mike Johnson, who called the take “McRidiculous” during an appearance on TSN’s Sportscentre.
Yet despite the international backlash, Cote has remained firm in his stance that a player nicknamed “McJesus” should have won a Stanley Cup title by his ninth season in the NHL. That was apparent on Tuesday’s episode of The Dan Le Batard Show, in which Cote not only doubled down on his stance but revealed that he’s received confirmation that his controversial take has made its way to the McDavid family.
“Alec Baumgartner from 5 Reasons Sports was in the Elbo Room after Game 1. And somebody else tells him, ‘That’s Connor McDavid’s dad at the bar,'” Cote said. “So Alec sidles up to him, wants to buy him a drink, they get to chit-chatting. He introduces himself as a local journalist covering the Panthers. And McDavid’s dad gives him a side eye and goes, ‘You’re not that Greg Cote, are you?'”
Asked by Le Batard how that made him feel, Cote responded, “I’m trying not to be Greg Gloat-y here. I don’t want to gloat. It’s two games. McDavid could spin a hat trick in Game 3 and everything changes. But for now, I stand by what I said about him being ‘McOverated.’ Simply because for all his numbers, for all his stats, nine seasons without a Stanley Cup. And based on a two-nil deficit, it looks like it might complete that run and still make him cup-less.
Cote conceded the obvious, that McDavid is an incredible player and one of the greatest talents hockey has ever seen. But unless the Oilers are able to overcome their 0-2 series deficit against Florida, he insists he’ll continue to stand firm that “he ain’t gonna be the greatest in the game, nor will he ever be unless he starts winning Stanley Cups.”
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.