After a long, exciting offseason that led to many chances for the Edmonton Oilers, as well as eagerness for fans, the wait is finally over. The Oilers were reunited on the ice for the first time since the offseason, as an informal team skate was held today.
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Among the Oilers present at the skate were Mark Letestu, Luke Gazdic and Matt Hendricks, as well as many others. However, one truly stood out from the rest of them, and the name is no surprise. Connor McDavid.
McDavid got the opportunity to truly get out there and skate with his fellow teammates, as well as show the team what they should expect from him heading into training camp. He got to skate with Gazdic and Hendricks, as well as experience the moment he has been waiting for: to get to training camp, on the ice with his players, showing his skills and speed.
And the players saw that speed and skill. They were amazed by the youngster.
“Skating won a line with him in a scrimmage is incredible,” Gazdic told media after the skate. “Once you give the puck, you better get on your horse, because he’ll be 100 feet ahead of you if you don’t catch up.”
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Gazdic and McDavid first met when they went to the same conditioning coach in Toronto, but this was the first time they have hit the ice together, and he was impressed. It was also revealed today as well that McDavid will be rooming with Gazdic, as well as Taylor Hall, up until training camp; then he will be rooming with rookies. No word has been said on what McDavid’s living situation will be when the NHL season starts.
Even Letestu was impressed by McDavid. He claimed that McDavid “comes as advertised,” meaning that he is just as good as you expect him to be. McDavid’s trying to perform to his highest potential, and he is doing his job as a rookie to help the Oilers improve.
However, the biggest compliment came from a non-Oiler; Tampa Bay Lightning star, Steven Stamkos, came out and told reporters that McDavid at 18 is better of a player than he is now. Coming from one of the NHL’s top scorers with a lethal shot, McDavid was highly honored, but humble and modest.
“That’s obviously one of the nicest compliments, but I don’t think that’s really true,” McDavid answered to Stamkos’s claim, stating it was one of the greatest compliments he’s gotten, coming from a player that he skated alongside all summer long.
For more of what McDavid had to say, here is his full interview with Oilers TV.
One thing’s for sure. Even if he’s not at Steven Stamkos level at the moment, he has potential to reach that level. He is becoming a name for the next generation of NHL Hockey. There hasn’t been another great generational name for years, obviously. And now, after a summer that has been just too long, McDavid says he is just excited to have met some of the guys, as well as finally get on the ice in an Oilers sweater. Todd McLellan‘s going to have a lot to work with.
Rookie camp starts in three days, and McDavid, Darnell Nurse and Leon Draisaitl all highlight the rookie camp roster. The rookies will play in camp, play games against other NHL Rookie Teams and then play in a final game against the University of Alberta team.
Get ready, Oil Country. McDavid’s in Edmonton. The boys are back in town. The season is upon us.
Next: It's OK For McDavid, Hall to Room Together