Jaromir Jagr sees something special in Connor McDavid - perhaps something more exceptional than what the average viewer sees.
"I respect the game he plays. It's fun to watch," Jagr told Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "The way he plays, he sometimes makes very good players look silly. And it's special. I always admire people who are greater than the rest of 'em. I believe in God. So, I can see the God in him. It's something that’s great. I always appreciate it. Because it's got to be something more than the rest of us."
The spiritual view is fitting considering one of McDavid's nicknames is McJesus.
"Some higher energy. Something. You just gotta have something extra to be dominating on that level. You gotta have something special," Jagr said. "Like, when you look at basketball, you get Jordan. You got to be different. And to be that different, it's special. That's the way I see it. I can appreciate the greatness of the people. Gretzky was different. Mario Lemieux was different."
McDavid has won three Hart Trophies, four Ted Lindsay Awards, and five Art Ross Trophies during his 10-year NHL career. The Edmonton Oilers captain also became the second skater ever to take home the Conn Smythe Trophy despite being on the losing side of the Stanley Cup Final last year.
McDavid has racked up an NHL-leading 33 points in 21 games so far this postseason, though he may need a little bit of help from above in order to capture his first career Stanley Cup. The Oilers trail the defending champion Florida Panthers 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.
Jagr won two Stanley Cups during his illustrious 24-year NHL career. His 1,921 points are the second most in league history. The 53-year-old suited up in 39 games with the Kladno Knights - the team he owns - in the Czech Extraliga last season, producing five goals and 11 assists.
