Connor McDavid has blunt 2 word answer to uncomfortable question on ice time
Photo credit: Danny Wild - Imagn Images
The Edmonton Oilers are getting great depth contributions up and down the lineup, but Connor McDavid shut down any question about his decreasing ice time.
McDavid has had more than a few fiery moments with the media this playoffs, including being openly annoyed after their series win over Vegas - because the job isn't done.
Connor McDavid gives blunt 2 word answer to question of decreasing ice time
Speaking to media recently, McDavid was pressed about his slightly decreasing ice time. The Oilers captain wasn't hearing any of that, and only said he feels great.
REPORTER: Connor, on a personal level, your ice time is down a touch just because of all the contributions you are getting. Personally, how are you feeling at this stage of the postseason compared to last year?
MCDAVID: Yeah. Feel great.
MCDAVID: Yeah. Feel great.
There's not even much to the line of questioning that McDavid's ice time is decreasing. McDavid played over 21:13 at least during the Vegas series, and nearly 30:00 minutes in the Game 2 overtime.
Knoblauch could definitely use McDavid more though, pushing his ice time up another minute or two a night. However, the Oilers are seeing full buy-in from every role player in the team and getting engaged play from their bottom six.
If the bottom six ever does lose a bit of their jam, Coach Knoblauch can easily shorten the bench to give McDavid a few more minutes. For now, the fact that they don't have to push his ice time is a strength, not an issue.
There's even a suggestion that McDavid could be due for an explosion of scoring. So far in the playoffs, McDavid has just 1 goal at 5v5 with 31 scoring chances.
McDavid is willing to do absolutely whatever it takes to win, even dialling back his minutes when the team is clicking. Surely there will come moments where the team is back to putting him back out every other shift.
| POLL | ||
MAI 19 | 555 ANSWERS Connor McDavid has blunt 2 word answer to uncomfortable question on ice time Do you think McDavid's ice time going down would be a good thing? | ||
| Yes, keeps him fresh | 425 | 76.6 % |
| No, play him more | 130 | 23.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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