Why Connor McDavid should be the Oilers' captain

It was a choice conspicuous in its obviousness.

Todd McLellan appointed Connor McDavid captain of Team North America for the materializing World Cup of Hockey prior to the team's first pre-tournament contest Thursday, an announcement that should have surprised no one.

That's not because of his superior talent, or because he possesses a sort of bravado leaders tend to have, or because McLellan and McDavid built a rapport in one year in Edmonton. It wasn't even because his arrival may well have been the inspiration behind assembling this roster for this showcase exhibition in the first place.

It was because a group of lottery selections, future Stanley Cup champions, and MVPs involuntarily submitted to the 19-year-old phenom.

At least, that's how McLellan saw it.

The NHL's international experiment will soon be over, and the same debate, involving the same central characters, will resume a couple thousand miles west of Quebec City, where Team North America hosted (and whipped) Team Europe in Thursday's game.

The difference being, of course, that in Edmonton, there's nothing fleeting about deciding on the next captain.

But that doesn't make the decision any less obvious.

Connor McDavid doesn't need a trial run. He doesn't need to demonstrate he has the requisite leadership qualities of an NHL captain. He doesn't have a thing to prove to McLellan, or general manager Peter Chiarelli. He's the undeniable face of the franchise, a legitimate superstar, and, most importantly, the only person inside the organization capable of guiding the Oilers through this necessary transitional period.

When McDavid and McLellan return at the end of September and begin camp in a brand-new, state-of-the-art arena, things will unfold one of two ways. The Oilers could drag out the decision, creating an unnecessary distraction for McDavid and his teammates (who, like North America, have already gravitated to the young superstar) during a whirlwind camp.

Or, the press room will be prepped for the morning of their return, much like it was for McLellan when he was named coach two days after leading Canada to a world championship in the Czech Republic. And there will be a No. 97 sweater with the correct letter stitched to the shoulder for the youngest captain in NHL history.

The Oilers have been waiting around far too long. It's time to cut to the chase.