Connor McDavid reluctantly advocates for rule change with NHL schedule
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers Raw
Connor McDavid saw a slight down year in scoring this season, and may have hinted at one potential reason that the NHL will have to take into account.
McDavid will be re-joining the Oilers lineup tonight after missing last game against LA for precautionary reasons, and perhaps some extra rest.
Connor McDavid comments suggest need for NHL to implement break around 4 Nations Faceoff
In his media availability yesterday, Connor McDavid mentioned that he's now feeling much better than he has since before the 4 Nations break.
I've felt, personally, night and day better from before the injury. Just in terms of rest, not getting a break there with the 4 Nations - which I'm not complaining about, at all. So if the league's listening, I'm not complaining about that.
McDavid obviously stressed that he still wasn't complaining and loved the tournament. As an elite player he'll never blame a lack of rest was a problem, and he surely loved the 4 Nations.
However, it did put a real physical toll on McDavid and many other superstars at the tournament. Along with playing to the Cup Final last year too, fatigue could've been a real issue.
It wasn't just McDavid that saw a scoring decrease post-4 Nations either. A number of superstar players saw a scoring dip after the tournament.
The next time the NHL hosts World Cup mid-season, they should try to find a way to accommodate even a few days break for the participating players. At the end of the day, it will help their product of good games by getting the most out of their players.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 17 | 652 ANSWERS Connor McDavid reluctantly advocates for rule change with NHL schedule Do you think the NHL needs to increase the break around the next international tournament? | ||
| Yes | 490 | 75.2 % |
| No | 162 | 24.8 % |
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