NHL insider confirms McDavid is trying to enact culture change with Oilers
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Connor McDavid may be trying to enact a culture change to raise the urgency to win for the Edmonton Oilers.
The Oilers captain remains unsigned a week away from the regular season, and that's sufficiently got everyone in Edmonton sweating - which may exactly be the point.
NHL insider says Connor McDavid is holding out to put pressure on Oilers to win
On a recent appearance with OilersNow, insider Elliotte Friedman reiterated the status of the contract talks. McDavid is expected to re-sign at a discount on a short term contract, but he's holding out to put some pressure on management.
What I'm hearing on McDavid is they're waiting. I know there's been rumours about deferred money, I don't think that's happening. I think the number will be lower than people think. I believe it could be lower than 16, it wouldn't surprise me. I don't think it's gonna be long-term. Again, I think everyone is waiting for McDavid to make his decision.
To me, what this is all about is that McDavid wants to win so bad. The two losses the last two years have bothered him so much, I think this is his way of making sure the Oilers know how much winning matters to him. In case you're not 100% certain that he is completely consumed with winning, he's making things a little bit uncomfortable just to make sure everybody's aware of it.
- Elliotte Friedman
To me, what this is all about is that McDavid wants to win so bad. The two losses the last two years have bothered him so much, I think this is his way of making sure the Oilers know how much winning matters to him. In case you're not 100% certain that he is completely consumed with winning, he's making things a little bit uncomfortable just to make sure everybody's aware of it.
- Elliotte Friedman
After 10 years in the organization, two gutting losses in the last 2 Cup Finals, and now looking around at an aging Oilers roster - McDavid is sensing the urgency to win a Cup in Edmonton.
Not signing a contract now puts some additional pressure on the Oilers to take his demands extremely seriously, and do everything they can to prove to him winning is the priority.
This season is truly cup or bust for the Oilers now. This team has accomplished everything they possibly can except for the ultimate prize.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 2 | 562 ANSWERS NHL insider confirms McDavid is trying to enact culture change with Oilers Do you think the Oilers needed McDavid to give them a kick for more urgency? | ||
| Yes | 464 | 82.6 % |
| No | 98 | 17.4 % |
| List of polls | ||