Oilers: Connor McDavid’s Keys To Success, Profile, And Expectations

Edmonton Oilers, Connor McDavid #97 (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers, Connor McDavid #97 (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

The Edmonton Oilers season is just around the corner, and if there is one player everyone should be excited to watch it should be Connor McDavid.

Connor McDavid seems to find a new level every season with the Edmonton Oilers.

While his teams have struggled in the playoffs, McDavid has managed to do things very few players have done before. Putting up 105 points in 56 games is remarkable, and he is just getting started. Let’s dive in with the first player preview for 2021!

Stats From The Past:

Keys To Success:

1. Hyman: Zach Hyman joining the Oilers was an interesting move to make. One that will be good for the Oilers in the short term but could hurt them in a few seasons with how big his contract is. I think one big key to success for the future of this team is making sure Hyman and McDavid can build up some chemistry at the start of the season.

2. Less Minutes: McDavid was playing crazy amounts of minutes during the playoffs last year because the team did not have anyone else they could count on. While that is good for McDavid to get as many possibilities to win games, even he has to get tired at some time. The team needs to make sure they are using him in the right positions at the right time and not burning through his stamina at certain parts of the game.

3. Shooting The Puck: McDavid put up 200 shots on goal in 56 games last year, that number was at 240 in 78 games in 2018-19. McDavid shot the puck a lot last season, and that cannot stop. There are obviously going to be some times when passing is necessary to set up a play, but I have to say I hope he continues to shoot even more next season. His best shot total was 274 in 2017-18, and he put up 41 goals that season, can he pass that number?

Bold Predictions:

My bold prediction for McDavid is going to be that he doesn’t pass 150 points this season, but I think he will get pretty close. I will gladly be proven wrong if that is the case! I was going back and forth on what I wanted to make my bold prediction for him, but I realized it is more so what I want to say about his linemates. There is no doubt that this is going to be Hyman’s best season, and it will probably be Jesse Puljujarvi’s best year as well.

The season is under a month away!