Wayne Gretzky: To be NHL's best, Connor McDavid must dethrone Sidney Crosby

LOS ANGELES — Edmonton Oilers executive Wayne Gretzky says he has told Connor McDavid that he must dethrone Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby if he wants to be the NHL’s best player.

“(Crosby) is the best player in the game and he has earned that mantle,” Gretzky said Friday night before the release of the NHL’s top 100 players of all time. “His work ethic is as good, or better, than anyone in hockey.”

Gretzky said Oilers captain McDavid understands that “(Crosby is) the guy he’s chasing.”

“Connor sees him in his vision and that’s what makes the game wonderful is that if you want to be the best player, and Crosby is the best player, then you have to earn your stripes,” Gretzky said. “Until someone knocks (Crosby) off the castle that’s how it’s going to be.”

McDavid, 20, leads the NHL with 59 points this season, but Crosby, 29, is only four points behind in nine fewer games. Crosby is also leading the NHL in goals with 28. Within the last seven months, Crosby has won the Conn Smythe in leading the Penguins to the Stanley Cup. He was also named World Cup of Hockey MVP for leading Canada to the gold medal.

“I think his skating ability is second to none,” Penguins owner Mario Lemieux said. “His lower-body strength is unbelievable. If he goes one-on-one in the corner he's able to come out and make a play. His passing ability is probably the best in the league, and his vision, of course, is also one of the best.”

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Lemieux agreed Crosby’s work ethic sets him apart. “Just like Wayne when he played, he’s the hardest working guy out there,” Lemieux said.

Gretzky is impressed with Crosby’s ability to handle pressure. Said Gretzky: “He’s been lucky that he had Mario to lean on, a guy who has been through all of it and understands that go with being the best player.”