Former Oilers Coach Shares Why McDavid Would Get Annoyed With Teammates in Practice

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Liam McCormick
December 3, 2024 (6:47 PM)

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Former Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft recently joined NHL insider Jeff Marek and shared that Connor McDavid would sometimes get frustrated by his teammates mistakes in practice.

McDavid's speed would often cause his teammates to go offside in practices, and even in games. Especially with younger players, McDavid was frustrated with their lack of attention to detail to drag their legs back and stop the offside.

Woodcroft revealed the story in a recent interview with Jeff Marek.

One time I can remember with Connor [McDavid] was in NHL pre-game skates. Everyone kind of finishes their practice with a 2-on-1 drill It would always drive him mad when some younger players would just go a little bit offside.

He didn't understand why. As I started to watch, he made a real point of dragging his foot to never be offside.
- Jay Woodcroft

It's incredible that in practice, McDavid is so dialled in to the details like going offside, even with no referees around.

That dedication to details and demanding that his teammates do better is what makes McDavid a great leader on the Oilers, and brings up the level of play of anyone with him.

Especially in the era of video review where offsides can be determined by a sliver of white ice, it's important to always do everything possible to remain onside.

McDavid is one of the few players to always drag his leg back when crossing the line, even when he's carrying the puck himself. He wants every player on the Oilers to follow suit.

A few games later I think there was a disputed offside goal where it was [McDavid] on a 2-on-1, he dragged his leg, and the other team challenged. He was on-side and he looked back at me and said, «That's why you drag your leg on those pre-game skate 2-on-1's»
- Jay Woodcroft

This kind of insight into the attention to detail from the sport's best isn't really surprising to hear. Even in his off-time with his wife Lauren Kyle, the run hill sprints in the snow for fun. McDavid is a machine 100% of the time.