Connor McDavid enters Saturday’s contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs, as a hero to some, and anti-hero to others, upon becoming the fourth-fastest player to reach the 1,000 point milestone.

McDavid recorded his 1,000th point during Thursday’s game against the Nashville Predators, where he one-timed a pass from Leon Draisaitl off the rush, and the Oilers’ bench erupted onto the ice. Edmonton defeated Nashville 3-2 in overtime, and McDavid returns to his hometown with all eyes on him ahead of Saturday’s marquee.

“It’s been just trying to get to Toronto,” McDavid said of his past 48 hours, after reaching the 1,000-point milestone. “It’s been a quick turnaround, get on the plane early. Beat out all the Taylor Swift traffic. It’s been a quick turnaround.”

“It’s cool to see the city so excited, I think it’s been good.”

McDavid confirmed he is a Swiftie of sorts.

“She’s got some great songs, yeah,” McDavid said with a smile.

McDavid emerged as one of the greatest prodigies in Ontario minor hockey history with the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League, entered exceptional status in the Ontario Hockey League, dominated with the Erie Otters and simply hasn’t looked back since his NHL career began with the Oilers.

Edmonton’s captain has larger goals ahead, and is one of Canada’s first players named to the Four Nations Face-Off roster. McDavid expressed his excitement for the tournament.

“I think there’s a lot of excitement. There’s a lot of buzz about it. There are four great countries. All four teams will be really good and really deep, it’s anyone’s tournament to win.”

McDavid also provided his assessment of the Maple Leafs, singling out Chris Tanev as a particular standout.

“Their back end has been great. (Tanev) helps a lot, he’s so solid,” McDavid said, then expanded on Tanev. “Yeah, they’re a good team.”

“He’s the same guy each and every day. He has the same work ethic, we’ve been training for a while now.”

All eyes are on McDavid during his homecoming and he knows it, but it’s clear that he’s excited for another marquee matchup in Toronto, while another generational talent is the centre of the pop culture zeitgeist just down the road.