Connor McDavid Admits Truth Behind Oilers Early Season Struggles

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Liam McCormick
November 10, 2024 (10:58)

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The Edmonton Oilers have clearly had a mediocre start to their season, and now Connor McDavid fully confronted it in a recent interview.

After a blowout 7-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks, McDavid did admit that the Oilers weren't fully ready to go at the beginning of the year.

»We'd certainly like to have more wins it was a short summer. Maybe we weren't ready to go, I'm not sure, but it doesn't matter now. We gotta just get rolling. Big win tonight, it's something to build off of.»
- Connor McDavid

It's a common phenomenon for teams to have a Stanley Cup Final hangover the next season, as the shortened summer and drop in intensity does have a real effect on players. Not only that, but McDavid actually reduced his preseason preparation this year to not wear himself out early.

The rest of the Oilers seemed to take on that mentality in preseason, even Knoblauch who didn't dress a full lineup until late, and the team may have paid a price to begin the year. Later, McDavid actually called on the Oilers to dial up their intensity in preseason practice. Edmonton then lost their first three games, and now have a record of 7-7-1.

That's why McDavid is now calling on the Oilers to put the past behind them and focus on the now. It is a positive that this year is still better than last year, and that the Oilers still have time to get the ball rolling towards a quality season. Everyone expects that they will.

A 7-3 win over the Canucks will be a good a springboard as any for the Oilers to gain some momentum and string together a few more wins to get the season back on track.