Injured McDavid skates but 'not quite ready' for Oilers action

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid during his team's optional skate on Nov. 4, 2024, at Rogers Place. (Credit: TSN)

Connor McDavid was in full gear sweating it out on the ice Monday morning during the Edmonton Oilers' optional practice ahead of their evening game against the New Jersey Devils.

The National Hockey League superstar won't be playing, however.

McDavid was ruled out for two-to-three weeks with a lower-body injury last week after he was tripped into the boards at the start of the Oilers' game Oct. 28 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Head coach Kris Knoblauch said after the skate that the Oilers captain is "not quite ready" for action.

"We're going to go day by day here, and we'll see," McDavid told media when asked if he was going to play this weekend. "I felt good out there today. We'll see how it responds and go from there."

The Oilers are slated to visit the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday after hosting the Devils Monday then the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday at Rogers Place.

McDavid said the decision about when he returns to the lineup will be a result of not only how he feels but with input from the team's medical team.

"You've got to listen to everybody, listen to your body as well and make the best call with all that information," said McDavid, who had scored three goals and seven assists for 10 points in 10 games before the injury.

Knoblauch said he understands why McDavid – and any player – wants to return as soon as possible: "It's in their DNA that they want to be on the ice for the games and helping their teammates."

"He's a competitor. He wants to be out on the ice. He wants to be helping the team win," Knoblauch told media. "Obviously, he knows his body, and the doctors are giving him their medical advice. Ultimately, it's going to come down to when the doctors think it's best for him to come back."

Coach wants to see more

Leon Draisaitl has provided everything a coach would want from a star player in leading a team to its last two victories.

And while the Oilers put in a fulsome effort against the Predators in a 5-1 win on Halloween, Knoblauch said the coaching staff "could have seen some more from other lines" in a Draisaitl-led 4-2 win over the host Calgary Flames.

"I think our game needs to simplify and get more shots to the net in traffic and protect the puck in the offensive zone a little more, rather than just being a one-and-done, where you look for that strike, that pass in the slot and it's not there – it gets picked off, and now you have to defend," Knoblauch said.

"It's a balance of taking advantage of those looks and getting them out of position, but if you grind them down, you spend more time in the offensive zone (and) you're going to draw more penalties ... It's just better for our game in the long run."

Highs and froze

Projected Oilers lineup

Forward

Defence

Goal