Connor McDavid vs Aleksander Barkov – Who is the better NHL player?
This video breaks down why Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov is actually superior to Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid.
McDavid has the speed, skill, and individual awards. He’s the fastest player to 1000 points and wins Hart Trophies. But Barkov has what McDavid doesn’t – a Stanley Cup championship.
The 2025 Stanley Cup Final rematch between Panthers and Oilers gives us the perfect comparison. McDavid put up 42 points in 24 games during the 2024 playoffs but lost. Barkov scored 22 points in 24 games and won the championship.
Here’s why Barkov is better:
✅ Stanley Cup champion (2024)
✅ Complete two-way player (Selke Trophy winner)
✅ Elite playoff performer under pressure
✅ True team captain and leader
✅ Clutch performance in elimination games
✅ Defensive responsibility + offensive skill
McDavid might be more talented, but Barkov is more effective when it matters. Championships are won by complete players who make their teammates better, not just individual superstars.
The numbers don’t lie – Barkov has 17 points in 17 games in the 2025 playoffs while leading the defending champions back to the Final. McDavid is still chasing his first Cup.
Who would you want in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final? The flashy scorer or the proven champion?
What do you think? Is McDavid or Barkov the better player? Comment below with your pick and hit subscribe for more NHL analysis!
**YouTube Tags:**
Connor McDavid, Aleksander Barkov, McDavid vs Barkov, NHL best player, Stanley Cup Final 2025, Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers, NHL playoffs, hockey debate, who is better McDavid or Barkov, McDavid overrated, Barkov underrated, NHL analysis, hockey comparison, Stanley Cup champion, best NHL player 2025, clutch player, two way player, championship hockey, NHL superstars, hockey hot takes, controversial hockey opinion, Panthers vs Oilers, playoff performance, hockey pressure, unpopular hockey opinion
**Hashtags:**
#NHL #Hockey #StanleyCup #McDavid #Barkov #Panthers #Oilers #NHLPlayoffs #HockeyDebate #Championship
38 Comments
Put McDavid in Florida and Barkov to Edmonton…
Florida would still win….
McDavid is better than Barkov, Sasha just has better team to backup.
Barkov had Jager to learn under. That’s where the change started, because Barkov is now teaching them to Lundell “Baby Barkov”
McDavid is overrated. Here in Europe we never get impressed with flare and alot of points. NEVER. We care about winning. Why tf are points som important to Americans? That's crazy. You need a real leader and players that play complete hockey to win. McDavid isn't a leader. McDavid will never win the Cup as a captain. He can't handle the pressure.
Barkov is the GOAT!
It doesn't matter how many points and how many pretty goals you score. Thats why players such as Crosby and Barkov always will be better.
Barkov makes his entire team play bigger better. He's skilled but its his on ice consistany and positioning that makes him outstanding. He's also a playoff monster. Cant say the same for McD
Granted, I'm biased being a Cats fan, but I'd take Sasha over McDavid every day.
Barkov is leader and also very good defence own goal and made other player better players 💪
Lmao give me a break , the only thing barkov has over mcdavid is a far better team , have them switch teams and mcdavid would have 2 cups and barkov zero , barkov did not win shit till the team got loaded
McDavid doesn't show up on the games biggest stage, Barkov does, 2 to 0 against McDavid….
La solution n’est pas de mettre Barkov à Edmonton ou McDavid chez les Panthers pour trancher ce genre de débat.
Il faudrait plutôt les prendre l’un et l’autre et les mettre dans une équipe qui a fini aux portes des playoffs.
Celle où vous avez mis McDavid resterai sans doute au même point parce que c’est inutile de gagner un match 6-1 quand 2-1 suffit.
Par contre, celle vous avez placé Barkov aurait sans doute été qualifiée en playoffs, parce que ce type de gars va systématiquement faire marquer ses coéquipiers dans les moments cruciaux pour gagner des matchs et engranger des points. Quand il ne le fait pas lui-même. C’est un bonificateur d’équipe.
Champion CQFD
Hockey is a team sport so the question is irrelevant imo. Both are elite players.
Lol "playoaves" 😅
Pete and repeat !!!
If I was building a team and Barkov and Mcd were available I'd take Sasha everytime.
97= 9+7=16 . Even McDavid knows who his daddy is.
BARKAV
All mc David has is speed, that's it, he sucks on defense
I`m from Finland but I know this is a team sports
Who won the 4 Nation Best on Best? Ha! Go home you are drunk.
McDavid has 3 Harts, Barkov has 2 SCs, I would take Barky
You turn on the TV and McDavid's talent jumps off of the screen. He is the more physically talented player. But Barkov the more you watch him the more you appreciate how great he really is. He does all the little things that don't show up in the box score. He is the best player on the best team. He is the best two way forward in the league. Seeing as defense counts I would take Barkov.
Im an oilere fan and i think mcdavid is severely overrated. You can see mckinnon trying to win. Mcdavid hides behind his teammates knowing they can get it done. I would feel different if he at least TRIED to shoot the puck.
Laughable garbage
Barkov sucks. This isn't even a comparison. No one would pick Barkov over McDavid.
It's like they say in football… Offense wins games, defense wins championships. 3x Selke Barkov is built for playoff hockey. McD is built for highlight reels and individual success.
Oh FFS…..Not even Barkov would agree with this. Swap McD for Barkov and Panthers are winning even more easily
Lol.. someone has balls to finally state this. I take Sasha over McDavid any day, but its entertaining to watch mcDavid play
And someone tell McDavid to relax little.. all his teammates look so uptight
Fast forward 15 years and adk Batrkov what hapoened to the 40 million his team pocketed is.
McDonalds (McDonut) has failed to do… anything against the Panthers besides cry and whine.
McOverrated
Barkov is SOoo Grimey 🤌
so basicaly if Mcdavid won a cup we wouldnt have this conversation…. Lets not forget that the panthers have alot more dept then the oillers
This video is backed up by the 2025 Cup finals. The series wasn't even close. You could SEE the difference on the benches-even when Florida lost the 2 games, it was easy to see the difference in leadership…..
If I am building a team it's Barkov. He checks every box.
This is hilarious. The Florida panthers are a more complete team….no way any GM in the league is taking Barkov over McD. This is because McD is the better player. Period. Switch those two in the cup finals and McD wins with Florida. Just reality.
No way man, i want what you're smoking. McD is MILES ahead Barky.
Edmonton is building team around McDavid, Florida is building team with Barkov. See the difference?