What's wrong with Connor McDavid this season? Lowest PPG and GPG output in ~7-8 years for him

[Greatzsky 99]

How many running backs are having career years post 35? Ovechkin hit his career highs for points in his early 20s. Lebron and Currey are great, but not as great as they were 5+ years ago. In various sports roles, you can make up for declining physical abilities with experience and intelligence. McDavid's game is based around speed, so he'll need to reinvent himself a little to continue winning Art Ross trophies.

No one thinks that McDavid's play is going to fall off a cliff. Just that it'll be hard for him to have career years going forward. And yes, his play will slow as he goes through his 30s.

I dont think this has to to with age. And McDavid is to good playmaker to say his game is based on speed, he has over 1 assists per game.

 

[Three On Zero]

I dont think this has to to with age. And McDavid is to good playmaker to say his game is based on speed, he has over 1 assists per game.

The bulk of his assists are also created due to his speed. He does have other great attributes, but his speed is what sets him apart.

 

[ORRFForever]

He does seem "off" this year. Having said that, an "off" McDavid is still a Top 3 player.

 

[blankall]

I dont think this has to to with age. And McDavid is to good playmaker to say his game is based on speed, he has over 1 assists per game.

Once again, no one is stating that McDavid doesn't have a great all around game. He definitely uses his did to drive into the zone and gets a fair number of points that way.

He'll either have to reinvent himself a little, or his production will slow.

 

[featherhawk]

my guess is he is trying to start a family and have babies however it has not panned out just yet.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Once again, no one is stating that McDavid doesn't have a great all around game.

I am stating that actually. He sucks at defense, and almost always has every season of his entire NHL career. Floats in his own zone straight legged and his stick hip height constantly. Back checks when he feels like it. Changes when he feels like it. Ties up an opponent stick in the slot only when he feels like it.

Connor plays selfish. I know what the assist numbers say but it's deeper than that. The Oilers have not only not curtailed this, but have indeed encouraged it. Take the full two minutes of every powerplay. Play 24 minutes a night if you want. We'll acquire all your Junior buddies and even make your agent president and hire your fave coach Knobby. Crosby lived with Mario his first couple seasons, McDavid got a washed up overpaid Milan Lucic.

The whole McJesus thing is just a moniker but the Oilers really treat it as holy sacrosanct.

 

[olli]

he’ll be fine. I think once he gets a cup he’ll go back to trying harder in the regular season but for now I really believe he’s purposely been going at 90% for the last 2 regular seasons most of the time apart from when his team really needs it. He was clearly the best forward at 4 nations based on the eye test even though his production didn’t show it. One could argue he was also “due for a down year” in terms of on ice shooting percentage and I’m sure his underlying numbers aren’t as far off as the point out put would indicate.


And yes of course he’s probably already peaked in production. I don’t think he’ll ever hit 64 goals or 100 assists again but I’m confident he still has 2-5 125 point seasons left especially if he can win a cup in the next couple of years. He’s just to good offensively compared to 99.9% of the league. His speed will slowly diminish but his vision/hands/shot/iq wont nearly as much.

 

[torniojaws]

His heart's already in Toronto.

I thought he wanted to win a cup?

 

[Nogatco Rd]

Dude needs to go down to McDavid's, get a Big Mc and just chill...hold the ketchup

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[pekka55]

Maybe him carrying the whole team for 9 seasons finally caught up to him? He's also getting to that age where players start to slow down.

 

[daver]

he’ll be fine. I think once he gets a cup he’ll go back to trying harder in the regular season but for now I really believe he’s purposely been going at 90% for the last 2 regular seasons most of the time apart from when his team really needs it. He was clearly the best forward at 4 nations based on the eye test even though his production didn’t show it. One could argue he was also “due for a down year” in terms of on ice shooting percentage and I’m sure his underlying numbers aren’t as far off as the point out put would indicate.

He outproduced MacKinnon and didn't win the MVP. McDavid looked great in the Finland game, had moments in the first US game, and was very fortunate to get gifted that open slot look in the final as he wasn't visible at all that game. Full marks to burying his chance but it was like Crosby's 2010 OT goal; a historically important goal that fortunately took away the focus of an underperformance on the biggest stage.