In keeping with Sportsnet’s Mark Spector, Connor McDavid approached Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch over the weekend and advised his bench boss he desires to play the rest of the Oilers’ preseason schedule. That will imply coming in once more for Wednesday evening’s recreation in opposition to the Seattle Kraken after which enjoying within the staff’s last exhibition recreation on Friday in opposition to the Vancouver Canucks. It could make 5 preseason video games in complete, which is so much for any celebrity, particularly one who had a brief summer season like McDavid did.
Whereas the concept of getting in control is a sound one — particularly if McDavid isn’t feeling he’s obtained his recreation again — there’s a large threat related to enjoying the captain in too many meaningless video games.
Why Does McDavid Wish to Play So A lot?
Final season, McDavid and the Oilers obtained off to a horrible begin. He didn’t have his typical explosion out of the gate and the Oilers 2-9-1 file dug a gap for the staff they needed to climb out of after it value then-head coach Jay Woodcroft his job. McDavid desires to keep away from the same begin this season. “I simply needed to get into a bit of little bit of rhythm,” McDavid defined after Monday’s recreation. “It’s powerful to get in a rhythm while you play one, sit out per week, and play one other.”
He appears a tad annoyed that the staff hasn’t gone with something near its full roster at camp but. “We haven’t performed a lot with our group. I believe you’ll see that the subsequent two video games. I’m hoping so, simply to get some rhythm, camaraderie. You realize that stuff is vital,” McDavid mentioned when chatting with the media.
There was a sense when he mentioned it that he was not-so-subtly hinting to his coach to begin icing the common lineup. Maybe not coincidentally, proper after McDavid’s feedback, the Oilers made a collection of roster cuts.
Ought to the Oilers Be Fearful About an Damage?
Primarily based on the way in which stars have been taking place in preseason, there’s, and must be, reliable concern that McDavid might endure an damage in a pointless recreation and derail the season. New Oilers GM Stan Bowman doesn’t appear anxious about it.
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He mentioned he wasn’t stunned by McDavid’s request, noting, “Typically with high gamers, they need to get their recreation to the extent that they need to be at,” Bowman mentioned. “If anybody will get damage, then it’s a nasty end result. However in case you method issues with that mindset, then you definately’re all the time going to be simply ready ’til Sport 1 to play.”
McDavid Is Exhibiting His Management
There could be a number of groups the place their superstars would favor to not play in preseason motion. Not McDavid. He’s properly conscious that he might get damage, however that’s not on his thoughts. What’s bothering him is the actual fact he feels he’s not the place he desires to be and neither is the staff. That has to alter and it ought to change when the factors don’t matter than to wrestle after they do.
Veteran ahead Corey Perry advised the media that that is what makes McDavid such an efficient chief. Despite the fact that the Amazon Prime trailer highlighted a special facet of No. 97, McDavid units the instance on the ice. “Everyone is aware of he’s not the loudest man within the room. However these little issues, they assist,” Perry mentioned. “That’s why he’s our chief.”
What Does This Imply for the Remainder of Preseason?
A few days in the past, it might need meant much more than it does now. Because it stands, solely a few non-regulars are nonetheless with this staff. Amongst them are Noah Philp, Raphael Lavoie, and Travis Dermott. Most everybody else has been minimize or despatched again to their respective junior groups. It’s not clear if that was the unique plan, however when McDavid says it’s time to get severe in pre-season, the Oilers pay attention.
This will likely additionally imply slotting a medically cleared Darnell Nurse into the lineup to get him some reps together with his finally enjoying accomplice.
