Connor McDavid reveals major issue on last year's Oilers at training camp
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers RAW
Oilers training camp opened yesterday, and Captain Connor McDavid was much happier about what he saw compared to last year.
All eyes are on McDavid's assessment of the Oilers roster as he makes a critical decision on his contract, and future with the team. McDavid's biggest priority is a chance to win, so the roster needs to impress.
Connor McDavid says last year's Oilers practices were stale
Speaking to the media after the team's first training camp practice, Connor McDavid noted that it was the best practice the team has had in some time - even saying that last year's older roster was stale and felt like it dragged on. These are some major issues that must have dragged the team down through the year.
Truthfully I think that was the best practice we've had in a long, long, long, time. It was exciting to be out there, high-pace, competitive, thought it was the best practice in a long time.
I thought at times last year it was a little stale. You can have that with older teams that have one eye looking ahead to the playoffs. You can have some monotonous days, and I felt that last year, so having some new faces and young blood in here is exciting.
- Connor McDavid
I thought at times last year it was a little stale. You can have that with older teams that have one eye looking ahead to the playoffs. You can have some monotonous days, and I felt that last year, so having some new faces and young blood in here is exciting.
- Connor McDavid
Multiple times, McDavid noted how impressive the young blood on the roster was for this season. That should notably include two top prospects expected to push for the NHL roster in Matthew Savoie and Ike Howard.
Both of these young players will be key to extending the Oilers' window to compete for the Stanley Cup. The top portion of their roster is aging, and if McDavid wants a team to continually compete for a cup, they'll need more young talent.
The development of Savoie and Howard are crucial this season, and it's good to hear that McDavid is impressed by the early showing. Insider Bob Stauffer has even hinted McDavid was watching the Oilers' rookie series.
This year can't get to the monotonous feeling of last year if the Oilers want to succeed, and keep McDavid in Edmonton.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 19 | 424 ANSWERS Connor McDavid reveals major issue on last year's Oilers at training camp Do you think last year's Oilers were just going through the motions along to playoffs? | ||
| Yes | 296 | 69.8 % |
| No | 128 | 30.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
