Player Discussion McDavid

[fuswald]

His linemates have also declined, Hyman is no where near a 50 goal season, Drai is on his own line, Nuge, I won’t even bother with and just a few games ago he was saddled with Podz and Kap.

Hyman just had a 50 goal season Nuge just had 100 point season no way they have forgotten how to play.

Last season the team was bagged by the final round. I believe this season some are trying to save it for the end.

The push will come. McDavid isn't broken.

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

Hyman just had a 50 goal season Nuge just had 100 point season no way they have forgotten how to play.

Last season the team was bagged by the final round. I believe this season some are trying to save it for the end.

The push will come. McDavid isn't broken.

Nuge is not a 100 point player and Hyman is not a 50 goal scorer. Let's be real here

 

[unicornBLOOD]

that's what we are all hoping, and basically expect. McDavid will step up when the time comes, I believe.

Nuge is not a 100 point player and Hyman is not a 50 goal scorer. Let's be real here

no, probably not, but Hyman around 40, Nuge around 70 points, those should of been realistic numbers. They are for sure having down years, just as McDavid is. Playing that deep into the playoffs definitely had an effect on this team and most of it's players, especially the ones who played big minutes, except Drai, but that's German engineering, simple as that.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Valid points Drive. Chronic fatigue, wrist or core muscle medical issue all seem in the realm of possible. The fatigue seems to be contributing to him making poor mental hockey decisions (last shift in Carolina game as an example). I don’t doubt any of these having an impact on him, along with the habitual on ice abuse that he has received over 10 years.

Perhaps it could be a signal of his decline before our very eyes, but it just seems like an overly massive drop year over year, where as I expect a more gradual regression in his game. His skating speed, “hand magic” is also off this year.

I hope they sit him for a week in March and allow him to rest. He’s always been a guy susceptible to fatigue. Like you said, going to game 7 last spring, the 4Nations hasn’t helped.

Don't get me wrong. There will still be bounceback from McD to higher levels. But around 300GP over last 3 seasons is whittling him down. McD burns more energy than any skater in the league with his frequent miles and constantly driving action. He's superhuman though as an athlete so I suspect if he gets second wind at any point danger can ensue. If I'm the Oilers I'm resting McD and Drai a bit down the stretch. I'm also getting a goalie so that this can be more of a possibility.

 

[Drivesaitl]

that's what we are all hoping, and basically expect. McDavid will step up when the time comes, I believe.


no, probably not, but Hyman around 40, Nuge around 70 points, those should of been realistic numbers. They are for sure having down years, just as McDavid is. Playing that deep into the playoffs definitely had an effect on this team and most of it's players, especially the ones who played big minutes, except Drai, but that's German engineering, simple as that.

Hyman at 40 isn't realistic either. NHL correction has occurred. Teams are not leaving Hyman alone around the net. Their taking him out hard and making sure to punish him every game. Cumulatively this has its effects. The one time huge appreciation in both of Hyman and Nuges stats the one year, how much was due to a unchecked PP that teams hadn't found the solution for yet?

NHL correction and adjustment tends to often be in next season time frames. Soon as teams have book and film on how to cool it down other clubs watch and match accordingly.

 

[unicornBLOOD]

Hyman at 40 isn't realistic either. NHL correction has occurred. Teams are not leaving Hyman alone around the net. Their taking him out hard and making sure to punish him every game. Cumulatively this has its effects. The one time huge appreciation in both of Hyman and Nuges stats the one year, how much was due to a unchecked PP that teams hadn't found the solution for yet?

NHL correction and adjustment tends to often be in next season time frames. Soon as teams have book and film on how to cool it down other clubs watch and match accordingly.

but if they are paying more attention to Hyman, then why are McDavid and RNH both having down years as well?

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Nevermind, I still think he's great.




Game 700 for McDavid tonight,

 

[K1984]

McDavid's struggles this year...

At first I thought it was because of the tough, game 7 loss. then, I thought, maybe he's just pacing himself, and he'll ramp up for playoffs. now, I'm thinking he's sick and/or injured. Maybe it's a combination of some of them or all of them, or it's none of them. One thing is for sure, this is the worst McDavid has looked since he's been an Oiler. Something is not right about him and his game, this is not even a shadow of what McDavid can actually be.

It's the incredible lack of detail and repeated rookie mistakes that are the most concerning. The offensive issues in his game are pretty obvious (deferring too much, not getting to the middle, not driving the net, not beating defenders outside, skating pucks into turnovers, etc), but its the defensive game that is maybe the biggest problem.

He has a terrible, terrible habit of over pursuing the puck carrier on the walls and down low and has been getting rag dolled pretty much the whole year as a result. Chasing D man behind the net only for them to have an easy breakout with him way behind the play, chasing the carrier on the wall only to get beat straight up or on a give and go, chasing the d man at the point and leaving the slot, etc, etc. It's a major issue.

The scoring is one thing, but he has been so porous defensively it has become a issue on both sides of the puck at the same time. Zero scoring 5v5 while getting blitzed the other way.

 

[Chelis Chili]

Connor McDavid (1-1—2) reached the 80-point plateau for the ninth straight season. The Oilers captain tied for the fourth-most consecutive 80-point campaigns in NHL history, trailing Dale Hawerchuk (13; 1981-82 – 1993-94), Wayne Gretzky (13; 1979-80 – 1991-92) and Phil Esposito (11; 1967-68 – 1977-78).

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

WTF is wrong with this guy? He can't be injured because every 7 games or so he comes out flying and looks amazing.

Is our first line Ass because Mcdavid has regressed or has Mcdavd regressed because the 1st line is ass? Or both?

There is something so wrong with Mcdavid I'd just load him up with Leon and try to let that line carry. Mcdavid on his own is garbage these days.

 

[Gnome17]

I watched a video earlier today of every McDavid goal from the 22-23 season and now im depressed.

2 things stood out, one, the speed of everything. Every decision, every deke, every shot was quick, precise, explosive and with purpose.
Two, he had a pep in his step so to speak. Cheering a lot more than this year for every goal, carrying himself differently. This year in comparison he looks fatigued and depressed/demotivated/exhausted, whatever it may be.

My personal speculation? I think the expectations are weighing him down. Compared to 22-23, he has now had his legacy season, he has won every personal award a player can win, he has 2 more failed playoffs in the baggage and he is tumbling towards the end of his prime.
I wonder if the pressure is weighing him down to the point of him underperforming.
That, coupled with being tired physically and mentally from how much hockey he has played in the last few years, those are my theories to why he hasnt looked himself this year especially (and to a smaller extent last year).

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

You guys are worried about the wrong guy. McDavid will go scorched earth in the playoffs… there is no doubt in my mind.