Sidney Crosby has lived what Connor McDavid is about the experience.
The Pittsburgh Penguins captain was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft and expected to carry the franchise - and the league, for that matter - to great heights before he even laced his skates in an NHL arena.
Life certainly has panned out for Crosby, who has captured a Stanley Cup with the Penguins, two Hart Trophies, two Olympic gold medals for Canada and become the face of the league. Crosby believes that McDavid - the top overall pick of the 2015 draft by the Edmonton Oilers - has the tools and maturity to see it through as well.
"(How) many 18-year-olds have his ability?" Crosby asked Yahoo! Sports. "I'm sure they're high, as they should be, but for him, you just have to enjoy the process and make sure he doesn't get too caught up in that.
"He's pretty level-headed. I think he's got things figured out pretty early on. I understand that the expectations are high but he looks like a guy who's going to be able to live with them as well."
Considered the best prospect since Crosby, McDavid collected 44 goals and 76 assists with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League despite missing time with a broken hand. McDavid added 21 tallies and set up 28 others during 20 postseason contests.
(h/t Yahoo! Sports)
