McDavid Reflects on Losing Nurse, Embraces Fresh Start for Oilers

Connor McDavid spoke at Zach Hyman’s annual golf tournament earlier today about the upcoming season, the Oilers’ lineup additions, and changes to the coaching staff. Hyman’s annual golf tournament always features a ton of NHL players, including a heavy contingent of Oilers. It is a great time of year to get a check-in on the upcoming season and on how everyone is feeling about the Summer changes so far.

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McDavid Was Sad to See Nurse Leave the Oilers

In his interview, McDavid also brought up his disappointment in the trade of Darnell Nurse earlier this season to the San Jose Sharks. He and Nurse grew up together in Edmonton, playing together for all of McDavid’s 11 seasons thus far. McDavid had this to say regarding losing Nurse, but also his building excitement for the season and the changes:

“Yeah, it’s exciting. First and foremost, obviously disappointing to lose someone like Darnell and the rest of the guys, but it’s part of the business, unfortunately. Nursey’s been… hard to really put into words what Nursey’s been to not only me, but the whole group and everybody in Edmonton. So extremely disappointed to see that happen. But at the same time, really excited about some of the additions. New coach, some good players, it’s an exciting time in Edmonton.”

McDavid also touched on the longer off-season in Edmonton, and how it is giving the team a chance to fully reset, get fully healthy, and work on more things that the shorter off-seasons don’t allow:

“Getting a chance to train and work on things- it’s been a while since we’ve been able to do that. Just the last couple of Summers have just been kind of maintenance and getting back to baseline, so a chance to work on some things and get healthy and rested.”

McDavid was also asked about Mike Babcock, and had high praise for the new coach:

“You name it, he’s done it. It’s a great opportunity for us players to be coached by somebody like him and learn off him. Where our group’s at, he’s the perfect fit. He’s not going to need to come in and find who he is as a coach, or find himself. In those situations, he knows what he’s about as a coach, and it’s our job as players to be ready to go.”

A New Chapter in Edmonton

Disappointment was evident in McDavid’s voice as he spoke today. Nurse meant a ton to the group overall, and McDavid has said previously that he was excited to win in Edmonton and excited to do that with Nurse. This upcoming season will be the first without Nurse pulling the same rope, a noticeable change on the blue line.

McDavid did show excitement about the season, the new coaching staff, and the new additions. He spoke very highly about Babcock and what that could mean for the group overall. The chance for the Oilers to finally get some rest and health over a longer offseason should help propel them to a strong start, along with a revitalization of the coaching staff and the back end. Hopefully for McDavid and the Oilers, the loss of Nurse will be a smooth transition to overcome.

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