What is wrong with Mcdavid?

[Coffey]

And like those players Connor "never has, never will" give up on his team.

I'm not going to argue that... I'm just looking for reasons why he's playing so meh this year.

Probably an injury.

 

[3074326]

I love how McDavid has been insane his entire career and a segment of HFBoards is ready to write him off after 11 games (some of those he didn't even play in due to the injury that he's clearly still experiencing to some degree).

 

[Sasha Orlov]

I love how McDavid has been insane his entire career and a segment of HFBoards is ready to write him off after 11 games (some of those he didn't even play in due to the injury that he's clearly still experiencing to some degree).

Still over ppg btw

Nice try changing the subject. We aren’t talking about offensive production - we’re talking about whether or not your leader setting the tone for the team matters. Which it does. The Lightning came close several times but didn’t win it all until they changed their style of play from a wide-open offensive attack to a defense-first approach; Stamkos led by example and the team followed.

You can change the subject and rip Stamkos for his playoff production all you want, but at the end of the day he’s the respected leader of a multiple-Cup championship team and McDavid is the selfish high-scorer on a team that hasn’t won shit in decades. But keep telling me that his refusal to play defense or to become an actual leader rather than just a captain doesn’t matter - it’s worked so well for your team so far.

He penalty kills while putting up 150+ pts

He literally could not physically do more lmfao you people are f***ed

 

[GreatGonzo]

First time I hear that 88-89 Mario was not on a level achieved by last year Connor...


Most of them?, a list with ovy, yzerman, mario, sakic, crosby, mack, that a strange level of trolling

You can securely say that McDavid has been the problem in the playoffs, while the teams overall depth, defense, and goaltending has been just fine? Interesting.

Notice how most of those players played on stacked, and/or well balanced teams?

Nice try changing the subject. We aren’t talking about offensive production - we’re talking about whether or not your leader setting the tone for the team matters. Which it does. The Lightning came close several times but didn’t win it all until they changed their style of play from a wide-open offensive attack to a defense-first approach; Stamkos led by example and the team followed.

You can change the subject and rip Stamkos for his playoff production all you want, but at the end of the day he’s the respected leader of a multiple-Cup championship team and McDavid is the selfish high-scorer on a team that hasn’t won shit in decades. But keep telling me that his refusal to play defense or to become an actual leader rather than just a captain doesn’t matter - it’s worked so well for your team so far.

and like I stated, “setting the tone” won’t fix what the Oilers lack. You just want an excuse to put McDavid as the soul reason the team hasn’t achieved much.

The lightning, again, became a stacked team with many tools. Stamkos being the leader wasn’t the difference maker. Again, he’s known for underperforming in the playoffs. He needed the vast amount of help to get it done, something McDavid doesn’t have…but ya, his “leadership” was the difference maker. So dumb

Im not ripping anyone, I’m saying your putting fat to much into “leadership” as if it’s some tangible evidence of success. Again, they won a cup without him playing. Knock McDavids leadership all you want, put Stamkos on this Oilers team, and they don’t achieve anything.

 

[EdmFlyersfan]

He's hurt along with locker room problems...

 

[WalterLundy]

He doesn’t look healthy. He’s been averaging 135 per 82 for the last 5 years. I think he will be fine this is just one of his worst stretches in a long while. Every time I’ve seen him live in Pittsburgh he’s absolutely torched us. One of the most special players I’ve seen since I started watching in the late 70s. Best player since Mario in my opinion. I have to be objective about this but he’s already far surpassed anything Crosby has done outside of team accomplishments. 22 to 7 for points in McDavid’s favor for head to head against Crosby is telling. The stuff I have seen online from the fanbase I am apart of and that I’ve seen in person at games directed toward McDavid and the oilers is very reminiscent of what happened with us and Gretzky. It’s funny that both times our fans couldn’t keep the insecurities in check EDM clearly had the better player. And this is coming from a guy who has met/talked to/had dinner with Mario many times (my son played hockey against and with his son Austin) and huge Crosby fan.

 

[Coffey]

He doesn’t look healthy. He’s been averaging 135 per 82 for the last 5 years. I think he will be fine this is just one of his worst stretches in a long while. Every time I’ve seen him live in Pittsburgh he’s absolutely torched us. One of the most special players I’ve seen since I started watching in the late 70s. Best player since Mario in my opinion. I have to be objective about this but he’s already far surpassed anything Crosby has done outside of team accomplishments. 22 to 7 for points in McDavid’s favor for head to head against Crosby is telling. The stuff I have seen online from the fanbase I am apart of and that I’ve seen in person at games directed toward McDavid and the oilers is very reminiscent of what happened with us and Gretzky. It’s funny that both times our fans couldn’t keep the insecurities in check EDM clearly had the better player. And this is coming from a guy who has met/talked to/had dinner with Mario many times (my son played hockey against and with his son Austin) and huge Crosby fan.

Interesting perspective. I respect your honesty.
Definitely some sour Pens fans on these forums that are exactly what you've described.

You're a good dude, Walt.

 

[MadLuke]

while the teams overall depth, defense, and goaltending has been just fine?

Completely misread your message (read most of them instead of most of the team), nevermind, but it is not completely false that Crosby line tend to had that bit of 200 feet role some playoffs, Malkin line tend to get the offensively minded deployment, even if it is often exaggerated, it give to the rest of the lines an more balanced one.

During the 2 cup run Malkin had 80% offensive zone start, Crosby a regular 60%.

 

[AndreRoy]

You can securely say that McDavid has been the problem in the playoffs, while the teams overall depth, defense, and goaltending has been just fine? Interesting.

Notice how most of those players played on stacked, and/or well balanced teams?

and like I stated, “setting the tone” won’t fix what the zoo lets lack. You just want an excuse to put McDavid as the soul reason the team hasn’t achieved much.

The lightning, again, became a stacked team with many tools. Stamkos being the leader wasn’t the difference maker. Again, he’s known for underperforming in the playoffs. He needed the vast amount of help to get it done, something McDavid doesn’t have…but ya, his “leadership” was the difference maker. So dumb

Im not ripping anyone, I’m saying your putting fat to much into “leadership” as if it’s some tangible evidence of success. Again, they won a cup without him playing. Knock McDavids leadership all you want, put Stamkos on this Oilers team, and they don’t achieve anything.

Again, what you’re talking about is completely irrelevant to what I said. My response was to a specific post in which you claimed that a team’s captain making an effort on defense doesn’t have an impact on the rest of the team. I pointed out that numerous players on the multiple-time Cup-champion Lightning have credited Stamkos with doing precisely that - that his example of hustling on defense, diving in front of shots, etc. as a superstar scorer and future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer inspired them to do likewise. But then I’m sure you would know better than a team full of players who have actually won something.

 

[Coffey]

Again, what you’re talking about is completely irrelevant to what I said. My response was to a specific post in which you claimed that a team’s captain making an effort on defense doesn’t have an impact on the rest of the team. I pointed out that numerous players on the multiple-time Cup-champion Lightning have credited Stamkos with doing precisely that - that his example of hustling on defense, diving in front of shots, etc. as a superstar scorer and future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer inspired them to do likewise. But then I’m sure you would know better than a team full of players who have actually won something.

Would you dive in front of a puck with a team like the Oilers behind you?
McDavid knows he can't afford to be taken out by a puck to the knee cause the depth is as shallow as a puddle. Stamkos doesn't have those same worries.

 

[Martin Skoula]

Would you dive in front of a puck with a team like the Oilers behind you?
McDavid knows he can't afford to be taken out by a puck to the knee cause the depth is as shallow as a puddle. Stamkos doesn't have those same worries.

This is a new angle. Does this apply to the rest of his game too? Why would he bother back checking when Skinner’s going to allow the goal anyway?

 

[Another Empty Netter]

Ohh man he looked so frustrated last nigh Does he glove punch and cross checking other players like this normally?

 

[Hank Plank]

Ohh man he looked so frustrated last nigh Does he glove punch and cross checking other players like this normally?

No he usually saves that energy for diving.

 

[AD1066]

The Blackhawks won multiple Cups because they were more talented and had more depth than their opponents, not because Toews furrowed his brow and thought about how badly he wanted to win and gave inspirational speeches to the guys every intermission. The intangible leadership narrative is often applied retroactively in sports because it's more compelling on a human level and gets more clicks than the headline "Better Team Performed Better".

Sure, you want a leader who is going to sacrifice and battle hard when it matters most. But that's not what's holding the Oilers back. It's poor roster construction.

 

[PaulD]

I'm not going to argue that... I'm just looking for reasons why he's playing so meh this year.

Probably an injury.

he is injured ....
when asked last night by reporter straight out if he was injured Connor replied " I'm good enough to play and I need to play better"

he could rip off 120 points in 70 games and this slump becomes a feather in the wind

 

[Wayward Son]

Haven't seen McDavid look this physically ill since the Oilers won the draft lottery.

 

[Cats2TheCup]

There’s a certain stage in your career where you’ve proven what you can do in the regular season, and you just don’t care about anything other than winning the cup. At that stage, going hard in the regular season is cringe unless you’re earning a contract.

The Canucks are heavily in that first stage right now, hence the board takeover.

True stars don’t give a flying puck about regular season stats.

 

[DearDiary]

McDavid is flying around to hit, throwing cheapshots and engaging in scrums. Strange behavior from a supposed injured player.

 

[jcs0218]

McDavid is older now. Past his prime.

 

[ChrisProngersEYE]

Guys a little advice from a Caps fan....don't do this to yourselves. You have got the most talented player in the world on your roster right now. Ovie and the Caps had opening to seasons like this where minor trades were needed to re-light the fire.

Star players tend to do this, they enter a lull here and there and the drought sucks but when the player swings back to form it is like god mode and that is how legends are born.

If anything sending Campbell to waivers today should be a good sign to Oilers fans.....change is coming. There are other GM's around the NHL looking at their broken teams with little urgency to boldly remove bad contracts from their roster.

 

[edog37]

Weak ass captain. Consistently overrated as a leader & player.

 

[Coffey]

This is a new angle. Does this apply to the rest of his game too? Why would he bother back checking when Skinner’s going to allow the goal anyway?

Makes no sense. He SHOULD back check so the other team doesn’t get a shot on lol

 

[ghostingtaro]

what is wrong with mcdavid? he needs to stop diving thats what

 

[AndreRoy]

The Blackhawks won multiple Cups because they were more talented and had more depth than their opponents, not because Toews furrowed his brow and thought about how badly he wanted to win and gave inspirational speeches to the guys every intermission. The intangible leadership narrative is often applied retroactively in sports because it's more compelling on a human level and gets more clicks than the headline "Better Team Performed Better".

Sure, you want a leader who is going to sacrifice and battle hard when it matters most. But that's not what's holding the Oilers back. It's poor roster construction.

Nobody’s saying that leadership is the only thing holding the Oilers back, or even the primary thing. But to claim that it doesn’t make a bit of difference in the attitude and behavior of a team is simply absurd, especially when players from the most dominant team of the last decade have said repeatedly that it made a difference to them.

While you are correct that it takes talent and depth to win, there are also countless examples of highly talented teams that fell short because they didn’t play the right way. Leadership alone won’t make a team win but a lack thereof can certainly keep it from doing so.

 

[Duke74]

The pathetic part of this situation has been Drai's performance. It's no secret, he's my least favorite hockey player. He's a hell of a talent, but how he plays the game rubs me the wrong way. I've always said he was a product of McDavid, not to the extent many posters here claim. He sure isn't stepping up. The guy looks like shit. He can't be bothered to do anything unless he's on the PP, and even then, he's been horrible.

Truthfully, I don't know what's wrong either. Normally he steps up in McDavid's absence, but this year he hasn't performed well with or without him. Lingering injury? Reached his peak? Given up on the Oilers? I have no idea.

I'm sure McDavid is sick and tired of carrying the load in Edmonton. Year after year with very little support. McDavid is the Oilers and everyone else are passengers. That even includes Draisaitl too because we all know his stats are hugely inflated from playing with McDavid.

Despite his poor performance to start the year, that's been proven wrong time and time again.