Coach makes crazy claim about Evgeny Kuznetsov is better than Connor McDavid

PUBLICATION

Josh Tupper
July 26, 2024 (1:11 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Roman Rotenberg Claims Kuznetsov is Better Than McDavid

In a surprising and bold statement, Roman Rotenberg, head coach of KHL club SKA St. Petersburg, has claimed that Evgeny Kuznetsov is superior to Connor McDavid. This assertion was made during an interview with Russian media outlet Match TV, sparking widespread debate in the hockey community.

Evgeny Kuznetsov, who recently parted ways with the NHL after being placed on unconditional waivers for mutual contract termination, is on the verge of signing with SKA St. Petersburg. In his interview, Rotenberg confidently declared Kuznetsov's superiority over McDavid, citing the former's performance in the 2018 playoffs as evidence.

Note: the quotes in this story are translated from Russian.

"� Better than Connor McDavid?" Rotenberg was asked.

He replied with "- Of course. He has a crazy motivation to prove it to everyone, as he did in the 2018 playoffs with Washington. Then Zhenya became the top scorer of the tournament and won the Stanley Cup."

While Kuznetsov's 2018 playoff run with the Washington Capitals, where he led in points and won the Stanley Cup, is impressive, it pales in comparison to McDavid's overall career achievements. Kuznetsov has accumulated 575 points in 743 regular-season games over his 11-year NHL career. In stark contrast, McDavid surpassed that point total early in his seventh season and currently boasts 982 points in just 645 games through nine seasons.

Rotenberg's claim has been met with skepticism and disbelief from the broader hockey community. It is widely acknowledged that McDavid's consistent performance, point production, and overall impact on the game set him apart as one of the NHL's premier talents. Kuznetsov's notable moments, while significant, do not overshadow McDavid's sustained excellence.

Rotenberg's statement may be viewed as an attempt to boost Kuznetsov's confidence and marketability as he transitions to the KHL. However, it remains a contentious and widely debated topic, with few agreeing with the coach's assessment.

Roman Rotenberg's claim that Evgeny Kuznetsov is better than Connor McDavid is bold and controversial, lacking substantial backing from statistical comparisons. While Kuznetsov has had standout moments, particularly in the 2018 playoffs, McDavid's overall career achievements firmly establish him as a superior player in the eyes of most hockey analysts and fans. As Kuznetsov begins his journey with SKA St. Petersburg, the hockey world will watch closely to see how he performs under the spotlight of his new coach's expectations.

Source: Match TV
"SKA is putting together a roster to win the Gagarin Cup, the club is ready to make trades to comply with the salary cap" - Rotenberg