McDavid Comments About Wilson Hint Oilers Need a Forechecking Machine

Connor McDavid just laid out exactly what the Edmonton Oilers have been missing—a physical, high-energy forward who can create space and protect the team’s superstar. After skating with Tom Wilson and Macklin Celebrini for Team Canada at the Olympics, McDavid didn’t hold back in his praise.

“Willie’s just a forechecking god. So hard on guys. Created so much space out there,” McDavid said. The comments aren’t just compliments—they’re a blueprint for Edmonton’s missing puzzle piece.

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You could see McDavid’s confidence in his first shift of the game on Thursday. It wasn’t Wilson who laid in a big hit, it was McDavid. Brad Marchand mistook it for Wilson at first. After the bench return, Marchand said, “Great hit, Willy,” and Wilson corrected him: “No, that was Davo.” Having a guy like Wilson on that line probably makes a superstar like McDavid stand a little bit taller. McDavid said:

“Our team wants to play hard, and everybody wants to play hard at this tournament. You want to be a hard, forechecking team. And it doesn’t have to be just Willy, Benny, or Marchy. It can be everybody.”

The “Enforcer With Skill” Blueprint Has Worked In Edmonton Before

Think back to 2016, when the Oilers signed Milan Lucic to play alongside McDavid. “Almost a perfect winger for myself,” McDavid said at the time. Lucic brought grit, size, and protection—he fought for McDavid, opened up ice, and made opponents think twice about targeting the superstar. That combination worked… until Lucic’s impact faded and the Oilers never replaced that role.

And to be fair, Lucic was not Wilson.

No doubt, the Oilers are skilled: Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, and a deep supporting cast make them one of the NHL’s elite offensive teams. But where’s the player who forechecks relentlessly, wins puck battles, and punishes defenders for taking liberties? Trent Frederic was supposed to be a version of that guy. It hasn’t panned out. Vasily Podkolzin is doing his best, but he’s not at the same skill level. Maybe someone like Kiefer Sherwood, who is second in the league in hits, would work. That is, assuming the San Jose Sharks fall out of contention and they flip him.

Either way, Wilson is the prototype player that McDavid seems to like and want on this roster. Even head coach Jon Cooper joked about the protection benefit, despite the Olympics being a no-fight environment.

The Oilers Need to Find Their Own Tom Wilson

The takeaway is obvious: Edmonton could use a Wilson-type power forward. A big, mean, forechecking machine who creates chaos, opens lanes, and gives McDavid the freedom to dominate. Imagine that kind of space every night in Edmonton—more goals, more offensive opportunities, deeper playoff runs.

The question now falls to GM Stan Bowman. Does he have the assets, cap space, or willingness to pull off a trade for a player who can bring that edge to the Oilers’ lineup? And, who is that player? The Oilers aren’t getting Wilson from the Capitals — even though there was a time in the past the Caps had considered moving on.

McDavid’s words aren’t just praise—they’re a roadmap. If Edmonton wants to reach the next level, it may be time to bring in a forechecking machine.

Next: Can Calvin Pickard Move Up in the Oilers’ Goalie Hierarchy?