Gary Bettman's blatant disrespect towards Connor McDavid in live interview

Ahead of tonight's Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman disrespected Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid in a live interview.

The final game of this year's Stanley Cup Finals is here, as the Oilers aim to complete a nearly impossible reverse sweep against the Florida Panthers. Edmonton's remarkable turnaround owes much to Captain Connor McDavid, who has led in multiple facets throughout the playoffs.

"Connor McDavid has 134 assists this season & postseason.

This is the 10th time in NHL history that a player had 125+ assists in a single season (incl. postseason).

The other 9 times were Wayne Gretzky."

Despite McDavid's evident and historic dominance on the ice, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has failed to acknowledge the player's contributions. During a recent live interview with sports broadcaster Stephen A. Smith, Bettman declined to recognize the Oilers forward as the premier hockey player.

"He is a bonafide superstar. Most prognosticators, fans, you know, critics and coverers of the sport think he's the best hockey player on the face of the earth, and he may well be."

While he didn't explicitly rank him globally, Bettman did recognize McDavid's playoff achievements this year. Given Bettman's reserved nature, it might be the most endorsement we can expect from him.

"I believe he's leading the playoffs in scoring. He's broken Wayne Gretzky's record for assists in the playoffs. He has been truly remarkable, particularly in the last three games, which is why tonight is intriguing and unpredictable and I think the buildup for the excitement is justified and given, particularly the US audience an opportunity to see Connor McDavid this intensely I think is great for the sport, because, you know, he plays in Edmonton and playing there he doesn't get as much exposure in the US he does, for example, in Canada."

Ignoring the NHL Commissioner's oversight of road games, Gary Bettman's statement likely disappointed fans. However, McDavid's impressive record speaks volumes and doesn't require special praise from the league's top executive.

Tonight in Game 7 against the Florida Panthers, Connor McDavid has the opportunity to etch his name in hockey history. A win would mark his first Stanley Cup and end Canada's 31-year drought.

Previously on Hockey Trade Rumours

Zach Hyman delivers a message to the Oilers' Canadian rivals before Game 7

Calgary Flames fans aim to disrupt Oilers ahead of Stanley Cup Finals Game 7

Florida Panthers make pivotal lineup change ahead of game 7

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