What is wrong with Mcdavid?

[AmabileCassarole]

Probably all correct, but merely pointing out that the entire tilt of the Oilers' organization for years preceding McDavid has been for super offense at the expense of a putrid defense, i.e., simply outscore everybody, and that sort of team probably appealed to McDavid's desires insofar as it allowed him to to what he wanted to do -- at least for a while -- which was to showcase his unique talents and rack up the individual hardware to where he is (or at least was) regularly compared to Gretzky. When it came time to recognize that his legacy would be limited unless he lifted the Cup, McDavid probably thought that the Oilers' offense-heavy build would allow him to get to the promised land, and indeed just two season ago they got to the WCF even with an injured Draisatl and gave the eventual Cup champs Avs about all they could handle. So, if McDavid thought that last season they could finally break through to the SCF, it was not that unrealistic, especially coming off a regular season where the Oilers PP seemed unstoppable. But then the wheels came off when they were tossed out in the second round of last season's playoffs and McDavid likely finally realized that a Cup was not in the cards with the Oilers.

Oh sure, you can say that he should have come to this realization long before, but that also comes with a heavy dose of hindsight and assumptions that might not be true, such as that McDavid knew for a fact that he would have ended up playing for a team that had a better chance of getting to the SCF than it then appeared to him that the Oilers had. And this bring me to my final point, which is that for all McDavid's skill on the ice he is still human off the ice and prone to human mistakes like everybody else, including continuing to play for the Oilers when perhaps that wasn't such a hot idea. McDavid would certainly not be the first or last star athlete to make wrong careers turns, just as one can speculate endlessly about what might have happened had Marino left Miami or Barkley had left the 76ers.

And, BTW, I am no Oilers fan or McDavid fan by any definition; to the contrary, the Oilers downfall has been great entertainment. But I can see where McDavid could have reasonably believed that he would hoist the Cup in Edmonton, even if the ultimate truth turned out to be very different.

You make some good points there - especially in regards to wrong career turns. Sports can be quite the fickle thing, really. I mean, the Spurs lost Kawhi, and got Wemby out of it. My Avs had that horrorshow of a season back in 2016-17, but learned from it and won the Cup a few years later, and I've always wondered how they would've fared had Sakic ended up a Ranger after all. It's fun to imagine these things, especially if you've got a good simulator on hand like ZenGM, for example.

As well, it had to cross his mind at some point, McDavid, that the Oilers had a pretty sordid reputation, but as much as we joke about it and all, I don't think we'll see a Lindros-type event happen. These kids are just happy to be living their dream, even if it has some pitfalls every now and then, so McDavid probably figured it couldn't be all that bad, and wanted to make it work, but somewhere down the stretch, the rot started to set in just like it had for his precursors. It's too bad. As much as I poke fun at the Oilers, I'm not opposed to them doing good. If they managed to make things work, I'd be happy for their fans. But come on, this is likely the biggest thing to hit hockey in ages. This will be the Gretzky trade for the kids out there who didn't experience it when it happened. You can't blame people for having a good time with this, especially when any of our teams could (theoretically anyway) make a move.

Sometimes you got it, sometimes you don't. Maybe McDavid finally wins it all elsewhere, but maybe he doesn't, either. Look at all the greats who didn't win, or won less than what people believe they should've. It's just the way she goes sometimes.

 

[VivaLasVegas]

You make some good points there - especially in regards to wrong career turns. Sports can be quite the fickle thing, really. I mean, the Spurs lost Kawhi, and got Wemby out of it. My Avs had that horrorshow of a season back in 2016-17, but learned from it and won the Cup a few years later, and I've always wondered how they would've fared had Sakic ended up a Ranger after all. It's fun to imagine these things, especially if you've got a good simulator on hand like ZenGM, for example.

As well, it had to cross his mind at some point, McDavid, that the Oilers had a pretty sordid reputation, but as much as we joke about it and all, I don't think we'll see a Lindros-type event happen. These kids are just happy to be living their dream, even if it has some pitfalls every now and then, so McDavid probably figured it couldn't be all that bad, and wanted to make it work, but somewhere down the stretch, the rot started to set in just like it had for his precursors. It's too bad. As much as I poke fun at the Oilers, I'm not opposed to them doing good. If they managed to make things work, I'd be happy for their fans. But come on, this is likely the biggest thing to hit hockey in ages. This will be the Gretzky trade for the kids out there who didn't experience it when it happened. You can't blame people for having a good time with this, especially when any of our teams could (theoretically anyway) make a move.

Sometimes you got it, sometimes you don't. Maybe McDavid finally wins it all elsewhere, but maybe he doesn't, either. Look at all the greats who didn't win, or won less than what people believe they should've. It's just the way she goes sometimes.

Yeah, just a final note to say that I would like to feel sorry for McDavid in his current predicament, but I don't. IMHO, he's become a petulant diva who openly sulks when he doesn't get his way, and I hate divas. Extraordinarily talented, yes, but still a diva.

 

[Video Nasty]

Jonathan Huberdeau holds the record for the largest points drop from one season to the next at -60.

He had 115 points with Florida in 2021-22 and then 55 points with Calgary in 2022-23.

Connor McDavid had 153 points in 2022-23.

As of November 23, he has 16 points in 16 games. Missed a couple games, but a 1.0 point/game projection (for a full season) would be 82 points in 2023-24.

That is a difference of 71 points.

Do we dare consider Huberdeau's record in jeopardy from one of the most unlikely sources?

Only if you’re begging to play the fool this early.

 

[um]

Why isn't he resting and recovering then?

The same reason the guy in your avatar didn’t.

 

[HockeyWooot]

He's having a pity party for himself. Leadership material on full display lol.

McDavid has ridiculous hockey IQ. This idea that he’s simply speed and that’s what has made him so dominant is quite silly. Let’s wait until he’s actually recovered before writing him off so fast.

Maybe he can use that elite hockey IQ for maybe, back checking and defensive positioning? lol

With his skillet he should be like peak-era Federov in terms of 2 way play, if he cared to commit to winning hockey.

 

[Mione134]

Only if you’re begging to play the fool this early.

Reverse jinx!

 

[GreatGonzo]

He's having a pity party for himself. Leadership material on full display lol.



Maybe he can use that elite hockey IQ for maybe, back checking and defensive positioning? lol

With his skillet he should be like peak-era Federov in terms of 2 way play, if he cared to commit to winning hockey.

People have this idea that if McDavid just committed to a more defensive role, that the oilers problems would magically be solved. it doesn’t work that way. It’s not going to fix their goaltending and overall defense. I don’t see how McDavid is the one that needs to be fixed.

 

[Joe MacMillan]

Because the Oilers’ season would be completely f***ed (if it’s not already) if McDavid missed 2 or 3 weeks

But clearly they are not winning with McDavid playing injured. McDavid isn't going to recover while playing, so why not let him rest for a couple of weeks and put him back into the lineup when he can be more effective? At least with healthy McDavid they could try playing catch-up for the playoffs, whereas with injured McDavid they are pretty much doomed for the season.

 

[HighLifeManIsHigh]

But clearly they are not winning with McDavid playing injured. McDavid isn't going to recover while playing, so why not let him rest for a couple of weeks and put him back into the lineup when he can be more effective? At least with healthy McDavid they could try playing catch-up for the playoffs, whereas with injured McDavid they are pretty much doomed for the season.

Because Edmonton lives and dies on McDrai (I cringed even typing that stupid bullshit). What you’re saying makes perfect sense to everyone.. besides the Oilers. He rushed back for the heritage classic and it’s fvcked his whole season. He should have sat out another week or ten days and healed up and maybe Edmonton would have a shot. But he came back too early and it fvcked their entire season

 

[DeeQ]

I don't see him as captain material.

 

[Johnnybegood13]

I don't see him as captain material.

Oh come on now, he has "LETS GO!" down pat

 

[HockeyFan100]

McDavid will be the Dan Marino of the NHL

 

[HockeyWooot]

People have this idea that if McDavid just committed to a more defensive role, that the oilers problems would magically be solved. it doesn’t work that way. It’s not going to fix their goaltending and overall defense. I don’t see how McDavid is the one that needs to be fixed.

I never said this is all on McDavid. Obviously the main issues are the roster build and performance of the players.

However McDavid shouldn't get off scott free.

He's s not a fresh faced youngster breaking into the league with raw talent offensively but needing to round out his game. He's a peak level player who's poised to be an all time great.

He and Draisaitl should have a more refined two way game than they do.Winning hockey requires commitment to unglamorous aspects of the game.

Moreover leaders in the room should be setting the culture for the group, the team identity in some ways should be a reflection of that core group and their attributes.

 

[Cursed Lemon]

McDavid: scores more adjusted points in a season that anyone in history not named Wayne or Mario

HF posters: i fEeL LiKe hE cOuLd Be DoInG mOrE tO HeLp tHe tEaM

 

[AndreRoy]

McDavid: scores more adjusted points in a season that anyone in history not named Wayne or Mario

HF posters: i fEeL LiKe hE cOuLd Be DoInG mOrE tO HeLp tHe tEaM

It’s almost as if those HF Posters think there are two nets on the ice and not just one. Crazy, I know.

 

[Mobiandi]

I wonder if we’ll get another heroic documentary after the summer

 

[Suntouchable13]

Offensively, did you really think he would score 150+ again? That’s hard to do, no matter who you are. I expected 125-130 points. I reckon he will end up with 1.56 ppg (128 point pace in 82), for about 117 points in 75 games.

 

[GreatGonzo]

I never said this is all on McDavid. Obviously the main issues are the roster build and performance of the players.

However McDavid shouldn't get off scott free.

He's s not a fresh faced youngster breaking into the league with raw talent offensively but needing to round out his game. He's a peak level player who's poised to be an all time great.

He and Draisaitl should have a more refined two way game than they do.Winning hockey requires commitment to unglamorous aspects of the game.

Moreover leaders in the room should be setting the culture for the group, the team identity in some ways should be a reflection of that core group and their attributes.

Again, “rounding out” his game won’t get the team anywhere, that’s where you are mistaken. They have so many other issues outside of McDavid, I don’t see how fixing his style would have any positives.

Why? Any “two way” player that has won a cup had plenty of help outside of their abilities. It’s not the end all, be all, for a successful team.

One player can only do so much. It starts in the front office and the coaching staff first and foremost. Which both are a mess, McDavid has no control over that. Plus he’s obviously injured.

 

[Vukotal Recall]

I'm absolutely positive it's because he has a terrible prima donna attitude and is a horrible leader. The fact that he is the indisputable best player in the game, one of the best ever, insanely off-the-charts competitive and clearly injured and pressured into rushing back to savior-ize the season is 100% irrelevant. Total loser.

 

[Cursed Lemon]

It’s almost as if those HF Posters think there are two nets on the ice and not just one. Crazy, I know.

Oh man

Maybe the goalie and the d-men should do something about that

Or literally any other player on the team

 

[GreatGonzo]

Oh man

Maybe the goalie and the d-men should do something about that

Or literally any other player on the team

Nope. McDavid has to strap on the goalie pads and stop every shot, while playing deep in his own zone to block/intercept any pass and shot, all while scoring. Until he does all that, he’s a failure as a player and leader. McDavid must play all positions accordingly for the oilers to win…

 

[Cursed Lemon]

Nope. McDavid has to strap on the goalie pads and stop every shot, while playing deep in his own zone to block/intercept any pass and shot, all while scoring. Until he does all that, he’s a failure as a player and leader. McDavid must play all positions accordingly for the oilers to win…

How convenient it is that defensive play is largely unquantifiable as well

Almost like he'll ALWAYS be a liability because [boomer reasons]

 

[Garbageyuk]

The answer to the thread title: he’s stuck in Edmonton for 2 more years and he knows the team is going nowhere.

Calling it now; he asks for a trade before his current contract is up.

 

[GreatGonzo]

How convenient it is that defensive play is largely unquantifiable as well

Almost like he'll ALWAYS be a liability because [boomer reasons]

I don’t even think he’s THAT much of a liability on defense. It’s over exaggerated.

 

[Cursed Lemon]

I don’t even think he’s THAT much of a liability on defense. It’s over exaggerated.

The idea that superstar forwards are supposed to play primary defensive roles is the least reality-based take I think I've ever heard.