What Does Connor McDavid’s Honest Message After Early Exit Mean for the Oilers

For Connor McDavid, the message hasn’t changed; he wants to win, and he wants to do it with the Edmonton Oilers. “I want to win, and I want to win here in Edmonton. That’s my focus.” McDavid said on Saturday.

But this time, there was a different tone behind it. Following a disappointing first-round exit at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks, the Oilers captain didn’t shy away from the reality of where the team stands. McDavid understands the team took a step back this season and was far less consistent than they have seen in the past.

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Connor McDavid’s Evaluation of the Oilers Season

“I feel the same way. It’s only a couple days ago I made those comments about the Oilers being average, I feel the same way I did a couple days ago, and I agree with Leon that the organization as a whole has taken a step back, and that starts with me. It starts with Leon. We all can be better, and we all need to be better.” McDavid added.

Over the past two seasons, McDavid and the Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Finals. But disappointingly, they lost both to the Florida Panthers. Throughout the season, the Oilers looked different. They didn’t play with the same intensity we have seen in past years and struggled at times both offensively and defensively. The Oilers finished the season with a 41-30-11 record for 93 points, their lowest point total since the shortened 2020-21 season.

Injuries Played a Factor in McDavid’s Performance

The Newmarket native, unfortunately for the Oilers, dealt with an ankle fracture throughout their postseason run. McDavid spoke on this injury and how it hindered his performance. Had McDavid been healthy, the series might have gone differently.

“It was more of a change of direction; stops and starts were tough. I’m fast, but my advantage is my speed burst, the quick step, and I had none of that.” McDavid said to the media.

The Importance of a Strong Regular Season

McDavid also realized the importance of having a strong regular season to build good habits and build momentum for when the hockey matters most.

“The regular season matters. It’s not easy to get in, as we showed this year, and you’re building your team for when it matters most, and we searched for consistency all year long, and searched for it in the playoffs, too. We never found that rhythm that we were looking for, and that starts in the regular season, that starts Day 1 of training camp. We do need to find a way to have a better regular season. Talk about some of these injuries, maybe we’re not pressing so hard coming down the stretch. Maybe we’re finding some way to get some guys some rest, so we’re hitting the playoffs full steam.”

The Oilers Plan to Be Busy This Offseason

The Oilers are set for a big offseason, as McDavid only has two years remaining on his contract and has reaffirmed his desire to be in Edmonton. Another disappointing season could risk pushing their generational talent elsewhere.

Related: McDavid Played With a Fracture, the Oilers’ Exit Hits Differently