Getty Image / Steph Chambers
The World Baseball Classic had the perfect storybook ending after Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout to secure the championship for Japan.
Not only are they teammates on the Los Angeles Angels, but they’re also two of baseball’s biggest stars on the center stage of the world.
Well, it turns out Connor McDavid wants that exact situation to happen in hockey more often. In fact, the Edmonton Oilers star shares a hot take that many fans are getting behind.
"It's what we've been asking for in hockey for a long time, right? Best-on-best… 'Did you see Ohtani vs Trout?' That's what hockey's been missing for almost a decade now."
Connor McDavid wants to see the NHL do best-on-best. 👏 pic.twitter.com/sSidLA1EbV
— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) March 22, 2023
The reason hockey lacks these superstar matchups like this is likely due to the fact the NHL season doesn’t quite match up with the IHF when it starts playing international games.
On top of that, most NHL stars haven’t been able to participate in the Winter Olympics since 2014 due to the season taking place at the same time as the regular season.
At the very least, hockey fans want these types of matchups too, as most of them agree with Connor McDavid.
give the people what they want!
— Jesse Rubinoff (@jesserubinoff) March 22, 2023
Who would have ever thought?
It’s almost as if seeing the greatest talents in the world playing at their best is exciting for fans
— Ahmad Scientist (@pharmaziz) March 22, 2023
These subtle changes could impact the NHL in a big way.
Maybe the NHL should start listening to their players
Mcdavid + others want shootouts gone, 10min 3v3 overtimes
And a best on best tournament
Both those things will grow the game, + make money for the NHL… SO WHY ARENT THEY LISTENING
— TheCouchGM (@Mr_CouchGM) March 22, 2023
Somebody, please listen to Connor McDavid!
Nothing better than watching this dude grow into his own. Face of the league, @nhl wake up and listen to him.
— Gerry Dews (@GerryDews) March 22, 2023
Maybe one-day hockey will have their superstar matchups as we saw in the WBC this year. Until then, the NHL is our best bet.