I don't think it's a very interesting question, McDavid isn't 50% or 100% faster than everyone else. What makes him so special isn't how fast he skates, but how fast he plays hockey. I would much rather read opinions on how he developed that talent of his.
It’s no secret what technique makes McDavid so fast - his linear crossovers.
It makes a massive difference vs traditional skating.
Other players are using linears as well these days, but McDavid has perfected his mechanics.
I don’t think I’m going on a limb to believe he put in an ungodly amount of time practicing his linears as a kid… I know he did a ton of rollerblading at home to work on his technique.
His mom said he never understood why other kids talked about video games on the bench instead of being focused on the game.
So he was always laser focused on being the best.
That’s not really something you can teach.
Kids either want it or they don’t.
So McDavid’s speed was developed through strength training, speed training, mobility training, his rare commitment to being great… and I suspect rare genetics, but I don’t know how you prove that.