Oilers' Connor McDavid loses another Stanley Cup Final: How many titles had Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby won at his age?

Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers suffered heartbreak once again in the NHL, as the Florida Panthers defeated them in the Stanley Cup Final. McDavid simply cannot figure out the team in Sunrise, which has become his hangman. After yet another gut-wrenching defeat, many are wondering how much titles had Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby secured at McDavid’s age?

Thanks to the evolution of sports science, athletes can now compete at the highest level for much longer—and that’s true in the NHL, too. However, McDavid can’t help but feel the championship window closing on him and the Oilers.

There’s no doubt McDavid has a seat reserved in the NHL Hall of Fame. Still, his legacy has taken a hit with back-to-back Stanley Cup Final defeats against the Florida Panthers. He’s had big shoes to fill ever since joining the franchise where Gretzky cemented his legacy. It wasn’t meant to be easy, but missing yet another chance to hoist the Cup hasn’t done McDavid any favors.

Now, the buzz around his ability to lead Edmonton to its sixth Stanley Cup in franchise history is only growing louder. Comparing it to Gretzky and Crosby’s success at McDavid’s age won’t help, either.

Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers skates through center ice after the loss to the Florida Panthers in Game Seven of the Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida.

Gretzky’s Stanley Cups at McDavid’s age

McDavid is 28 years old, and even though his cabinet is filled with silverware, it’s mostly for his individual performances. There is only one trophy NHL players care about—the Stanley Cup—and it’s been hard to come by for McDavid.

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However, that wasn’t exactly the case for Gretzky during his time in Edmonton. ‘The Great One’ won four Stanley Cups in his career, and every single one of them was before turning 28. He hoisted Lord Stanley at the age of 22, 23, 25, and 26. However, he didn’t win any more Cups past those ages.

Crosby’s Stanley Cups by the age of 28

Perhaps Crosby is a better example for McDavid to compare himself to. Yet, the Oilers’ captain still has work to do to reach the level of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ idol. Especially if he hopes to catch up to Crosby’s three Stanley Cup titles

Crosby conquered his first Stanley Cup at the age of 21, becoming the youngest captain to achieve such a feat since 1895. He secured his first title just in time to buy his teammates a round of drinks to celebrate.

He hoisted his second Cup in 2016 as a 28-year-old. It was so nice, Crosby and the Pens had to do it twice. The Penguins’ captain won his third—and possibly final—championship in back-to-back fashion at 29 in 2017.