‘Nothing’s really changed’: All quiet on Oilers’ McDavid contract extension talks front

None’s the word on the progress of Connor McDavid contract extension talks that have overshadowed the start of Edmonton Oilers training camp this year.

The team’s superstar captain said Thursday after a morning camp on-ice session that there’s “not really much to report” on how discussions are going between the 28-year-old and the National Hockey League squad for which he’s starting his 11th season.

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“We think about it, we talk about it, gauge where we’re at, what we’re feeling,” McDavid told reporters at Edmonton’s Rogers Place. “Nothing’s really changed as of now.”

The three-time winner of the Hart trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player said Thursday’s morning practice was “the best” the Oilers have had “in a long time.”

“It was exciting, fun to be out there,” he said. “A high pace (and) competitive.”

Hyman out until early November

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Thursday afternoon that winger Zach Hyman, who had surgery on his wrist in June after injuring it during the Western Conference final against the Dallas Stars, won’t return to the team’s lineup until at least early November.

Hyman played a notable role for the Oilers in last spring’s playoffs, leading all NHL players in post-season hits until being knocked out of action after a collision with Stars forward Mason Marchment in Game 3. The 33-year-old had scored five goals and 11 points in 15 playoff games before missing the rest of the postseason.

Skinner drops weight

Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner told media he’s lost about 15 lb. since last season in an effort for “longevity” in the NHL, saying “joint health” was the leading reason for him to weigh in at 215 lb. as he reported to camp this week.

“Give and take, I’m still pretty big,” the Edmonton native said. “I don’t think you guys will notice that I’m smaller by any means. (I’m) maybe even bigger because I’ve been working out my upper body this summer. I’ve got bigger biceps ...

“I feel lighter, so maybe I feel a little bit faster but just lighter.”

‘Young blood’ adds energy

McDavid said new and younger faces on the practice ice are a welcome presence as camp begins after he felt last season “was a little stale” at times.

The Oilers have turned over about half of their forward group and added three forwards new to the NHL that are expected to start the season on the big-league roster in Matt Savoie, Ike Howard and David Tomasek.

“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,” he said.

“Having some new faces in here, some young blood, playing with new guys, it can be exciting. New projects, something to work on and build on. With that being said, we know that we can always go back to the old things – playing with Leo (Leon Draisaitl) or playing with Nuge (Ryan Nugent-Hopkins) or whoever it is, we always have those things to go back on – but it’s exciting to try to build something with some other guys.”