NHL Gets Back To Regular Season Schedule

He had one goal in 14 games with the Oilers this season.

On Nov. 28, Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli said McDavid’s recovery was ahead of schedule, but he still was held out until after the All-Star break. “Just from walking down the street and talking to people I know there, they’re excited to have me back”, said the native of Richmond Hill, Ont.

McDavid has recently been practising with Bakersfield Condors, the Oilers’ American Hockey League affiliate.

“He is ready to go, ” Oilers head coach Todd McLellan announced Monday after McDavid skated in practice, centring a line between Jordan Eberle and Benoit Pouliot. “It’s hard, especially when I felt as good as I did for as long as I did on the ice, you want to be back playing as soon as possible”. “They were telling me when it’s safe to play and it’s safe to play”. McDavid has been taking contact in practice, snapping onetimers and testing the injury at every turn.

McLellan he said he doesn’t know how much penalty kill time McDavid will get immediately.

The 19-year-old had five goals and seven assists in 13 games before suffering the injury. “Based on how he’s skated today and knowing all the work he’s put in, I’m not as anxious about him as I am some others”. The Oilers will be getting McDavid back on Tuesday.

His 48 points in 50 games lead all Oilers and only Draisaitl, 11 points behind, is anywhere near him in that regard.

His return provides an emotional boost for his teammates, who went 14-18-5 with their franchise player out of the lineup. The team later said it was for observation. The Oilers will need to overtake Calgary, Vancouver, Anaheim and Arizona to catch a post-season berth.

He returns to a team that is still mathematically in the playoff hunt but is tied with Columbus for last overall in the league, with 43 points. Calgary took the final spot with 97 points previous year.

“It definitely feels a lot like September”, said McDavid.

McDavid believes they’ll mesh well. “Everyone feels good after the break”.