A lull in McDavid's reign — is he off the pedestal?

[D1az]

Given what he has done so far, how he's still in the top with fewer games played, getting to 1000 points faster than many of the best in hockey history, and coming off a historical playoffs performance I'm not going to count him out just yet.

Personally I think that the only thing he focuses his mind on is the only trophy that matters to him anymore.
He just needs to get his team into a good position for the playoffs, and he needs the rest of the team to push themselves as well. And there I'm expecting him to once again start working at a different level despite facing teams mainly focusing on shutting him down when he's on the ice.

 

[Toene]

Look how much hockey he’s played in the last 3 years. Plus I mean he is the reigning Conn Smythe winner despite being on the losing team.

He led the playoffs in points in 2022 and 2024.

Usually McDavid comes on stronger as the season goes on and there’s a lot of hockey left.

Anyways, pretty much the only thing that matters and only trophy that matters for the Oilers and McDavid is the Cup at this point.

A bit to your point though, Draisaitl has been the Oilers best player this year and the best player in the world this season so thankfully he’s an Oiler.

What a homer take. Mackinnon is the best right now.

 

[BlueAzN]

Connor McDonald was always going to decline after that 150pt season

 

[Gnome17]

Watched almost every Oilers game the past 8 years and focused on McDavid a lot, and he hasnt been as good this season or the last as he has was between 20-21 to 22-23.
That said hes still amazing and could come out of this season as the MVP, hes only turning 28 in a few days and could have several MVP seasons ahead of him still.
Overall for this generation he has established himself as the clear best player.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

he has 54 points in 36 games, he goes on a heater and he very well can 2x his point totals. if that's a lull shit I'll take that lull all day every day

 

[GirardSpinorama]

McDavid is fine. Its just that Mack and Kucherov seems to get better with age and have found a "second peak".

 

[OilWagon]

What a homer take. Mackinnon is the best right now.

At empty net points for sure

 

[DingerMcSlapshot]

League caught up to him abit. And he is getting older. Still very good.

 

[Video Nasty]

he has 54 points in 36 games, he goes on a heater and he very well can 2x his point totals. if that's a lull shit I'll take that lull all day every day

He probably begins a new heater in a few hours. Before the two pointless games, he had 44 points in 24 games after returning from injury.

Actually, despite the back to back scoreless games that sent out a shockwave, he’s even led the NHL in points and PPG since then (November 6 to today) while playing fewer games than nearly everyone inside the top 10 during that time.

And that’s with MacKinnon piling up 9 freebies to McDavid’s 0 during that time span too.

Still the best in the world, no matter how much people want it to be otherwise.

 

[TheLegend27]

He probably begins a new heater in a few hours. Before the two pointless games, he had 44 points in 24 games after returning from injury.

Actually, despite the back to back scoreless games that sent out a shockwave, he’s even led the NHL in points and PPG since then (November 6 to today) while playing fewer games than nearly everyone inside the top 10 during that time.

And that’s with MacKinnon piling up 9 freebies to McDavid’s 0 during that time span too.

Still the best in the world, no matter how much people want it to be otherwise.

Watching him, there’s something that feels off about his game compared to his 2023 form. Maybe it has something to do with an injury, but McDavid is taking on defenders much less off the rush and passing up great shooting opportunities. If he gets back to his 2022-2023 play-style he can easily go 2ppg the rest of the way and scoop up another Art Ross. The way everyone here is riled up about his play it’s like he’s losing the Art Ross to Jamie Benn lmao.

 

[Jordan Belfort]

A single point game again.

Guarantee Mackinnon will put up at least two points next game, as has happened all season. Where’s the guy who said he would score 27 in 10 games?

 

[Hank Plank]

If I'm an Oilers fan (god forbid) I'd rather 97 coast in the regular season to conserve energy.

 

[McPoyle]

A single point game again.

Guarantee Mackinnon will put up at least two points next game, as has happened all season. Where’s the guy who said he would score 27 in 10 games?

Where's the guy who said McDavid would never get 150? Oh thats you.

 

[Frank Drebin]

McDavid is just focusing on leading better and improving his intangibles, which, of course, will reduce his point totals.

 

[syz]

Watching him, there’s something that feels off about his game compared to his 2023 form. Maybe it has something to do with an injury, but McDavid is taking on defenders much less off the rush and passing up great shooting opportunities. If he gets back to his 2022-2023 play-style he can easily go 2ppg the rest of the way and scoop up another Art Ross. The way everyone here is riled up about his play it’s like he’s losing the Art Ross to Jamie Benn lmao.

Banged up near the end of the regular season that year and has played more hockey than just about anyone since so he hasn't had time to heal. IMO he was never fully healthy last season and it got worse as the year went on--and the year went on for almost as long as it possibly could, so he ended up with the shortest possible off season. Looks better this year but still not 100%. Doesn't help that it appears the same could also be applied to his linemates so far this year, though RNH and Hyman have also been trending upwards again lately.

Unfortunately for Oilers fans he's going to get dragged into a mid-season gimmick tournament on top of everything else this year.

 

[daver]

McDavid is fine. Its just that Mack and Kucherov seems to get better with age and have found a "second peak".

McDavid is just focusing on leading better and improving his intangibles, which, of course, will reduce his point totals.

Maybe MacKinnon and Kucherov could have put up better numbers earlier in their careers but were focused on winning. Now McDavid apparently is focused on winning so his point totals aren't what they could be.

Watching him, there’s something that feels off about his game compared to his 2023 form. Maybe it has something to do with an injury, but McDavid is taking on defenders much less off the rush and passing up great shooting opportunities. If he gets back to his 2022-2023 play-style he can easily go 2ppg the rest of the way and scoop up another Art Ross. The way everyone here is riled up about his play it’s like he’s losing the Art Ross to Jamie Benn lmao.

You think Crosby was playing at his normal play-style in 14/15?

 

[gimzo23]

Barkov killed McDavid and he will never be the same. McDavid realized in the Stanley cup finals that his career is worthless. He is now in hockey limbo hell for the rest of his career, having lost his goal scoring touch and his confidence and trying in vain to become a game's top 2-way forward. It's up to Draisaitl from now on to carry his worthless bum to anything worthwile.

 

[daver]

McDavid has played at a 1.68 PPG since 21/22. Since the start of last season, Kucherov is at 1.71 and Mac is at 1.67.

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

It’s nice not having to hear about him every 2 minutes…

 

[PenguinSuitedUp]

2 games and he is done? Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooookaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

One might say he’s jumping the shark.

 

[daver]

PPGs in 21/22 with EN points removed

Kucherov - 1.40
McDavid - 1.40
Matthews - 1.36
Huberdeau 1.34

McDavid was barely ahead of Benn, sorry, I mean Huberdeau, that year.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Lol all the pens fans are out in full force

 

[daver]

Lol all the pens fans are out in full force

Someone sounds a bit of post envy. Must be hard not having any players that are thread worthy.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Someone sounds a bit of post envy. Must be hard not having any players that are thread worthy.

5 art rosses at 28 years old btw

 

[Kegs]

Bust