Can You Win A Cup With This Guy?

New York Rangers forward Sean Avery played with McDonald for the Ducks' minor league affiliate in Cincinnati, then against him while with the Los Angeles Kings. While he expresses affection for his former teammate, "I don't really like playing against him," Avery says. "He plays hard, for one thing. I think he's arrogant, which is probably a good attribute for him, because, as a little guy, you have to be." Informed that some people wonder if McDonald is up to the job of centering the top line for a Cup contender, Avery sniffs, "Obviously they're not very smart hockey people. Because he can play."

McDonald welcomes--indeed, he feeds on--the skepticism and the focus on his stature. "I keep it to myself and use it as motivation," he explains. "It drives me." He has known doubters most of his life and made short work of them.