McDavid Misses Second-Straight Practice, Tests Positive For COVID

According to Ryan Rishaug of TSN, Connor McDavid was not at the Edmonton Oilers full-team practice on Tuesday, which was odd considering he got the last practice off for a rest day and the Oilers were coming off a bad beat from the New York Rangers on Monday evening. Word then start to spread that the absence was related to a COVID issue.

Related: McDavid Misses Morning Skate For Oilers, Tippett Comments

Am told McDavids absence from practice is Covid related.

— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) January 4, 2022

Rishaug wrote, “Considering this is a full team skate, it’s very odd for McDavid not to be taking part. He had a rest day recently. My guess is it’s either a COVID protocol issue or an injury of some sort, but this is a practice he’d normally be taking part in.” He then followed that tweet up saying the absence was COVID related, even though new details about whether or he’d tested positive were clear. Jack Michaels tweeted, “Connor McDavid and Derek Ryan being held out of practice as a precautionary measure.” That was later updated to read that both men had, in fact, tested positive and would be tested again tomorrow.

EDM coach Dave Tippett says Connor McDavid and Derek Ryan have tested positive for COVID…will be re-tested.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 4, 2022

Derek Ryan was also absent and it was said that Dave Tippett would address the media after practice about the missing players. Both Zack Kassian and goaltender Mike Smith were back at practice today.

The bad news here is that the Oilers can’t afford to have McDavid out of the lineup as they prepare for a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday. The good news is, McDavid won’t miss a ton of games since a number of the January contests scheduled for the Oilers have been postponed.

McDavid did miss the morning skate on Monday but ended up playing in the game versus the Rangers on Monday evening. He was held pointless and played for just over 18 minutes. The Oilers only managed one goal in that contest.

Next: Price to Sit Out the Season or Showcase Himself for a Trade?