The Edmonton Oilers have set up residence in the basement of the NHL over the past 10 years. In that time frame, finishing in the lower tiers has given them the gift of top draft picks to build a team around. Players such as Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall, Oscar Klefbom, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse, Leon Draisaitl and the kid phenom, Connor McDavid.
McDavid has been since titled 'McJesus' and has taken the NHL by storm. Hands down stand out rookie this season, even after missing numerous games with a broken clavicle. While he alone can't save the Edmonton franchise, he has had a huge impact in the wins that have been accumulated and almost had them in a playoff spot this year. Despite being limited to only 19 games thus far, McDavid has tallied 24 points (9G, 15A) and seven points over his last three games.
Thursday night McDavid played against the team he grew up cheering for, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and while they are buried in the basement as well this season, McDavid showed no favouritism. He pierced them for five points, collecting two goals and three assists good for a plus/minus of +4 in a 5-2 win. He had a 40.0% shooting percentage and currently sits 12th in the league for that stat with a 23.1%. He has 12 points in the six games since returning from injury.
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The highly acclaimed rookie and future number one center, isn't going to have the time to climb back on top of the rookie scoring, chasing players like the Arizona Coyotes duo of Anthony Duclair and Max Domi, or Chicago Blackhawks gem Artemi Panarin. He is showing however that he means more to his franchise than either of them do. Without McJesus in the lineup, the Oilers won just 14 of 37 games. That is a huge blow to any chance of making the playoffs. So as the standings start to separate and teams start realizing their fate, it looks like another short season in Oil country.
The team, though standings don't show, made strides this season and made a threat to break into hockey past April. Next season is something they can look forward to and in the mean time watch the McDavid show for the next couple months as he makes his way through the NHL.
The arrival of the young superstar has done wonders for more than just the one-ice production, its boosted the teams ticket sales. According to www.StubHub.com, the ticket resale website, the Oilers have jumped 131 percent in sales from last year. They climbed from 16th to the sixth best selling NHL team this year. They are also now the seventh best selling road team in the league. Joining the ranks of the 'Original Six' franchises and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Everyone wants to see the man dubbed as 'The Next Great One' and has made the Oilers a popular show when they come to town.
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Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting, said "He's a craftsman with the puck. His hockey sense, with his vision, his anticipation, his sense of timing and his ability to do those things at top-end speed, you're looking at the best skilled player in the draft." That was all before he even touched NHL ice for the first time.
The thing that impressed this writer was his ability to adapt. He was used to things being easy for him in junior hockey playing for the Erie Otters, but now he's playing with men. The best in the world. While he didn't start collecting points right away, his talent showed through. His top-end speed is amazing and it only takes him two or three strides to get there. His hands in tight and around the net have paid dividends already and will only get better with more NHL experience. His ability to break through defenders makes you watch in awe, he has the hands of a surgeon. He is going to be a lot of fun to watch as he grows into his hyped up presence in the NHL.