Connor McDavid Skating Again, Timetable For Return Unknown

It wasn’t that long ago that the Edmonton Oilers looked downright lost in the aftermath of the shoulder injury to rookie phenom Connor McDavid. McDavid was checked hard into the boards in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on November 2. He suffered a broken clavicle and the Edmonton Oilers team and the collective hockey world reacted like he’d been shot. The team went into a tailspin, losing 8 of their next 10 games.

Then something funny happened–maybe the rest of the Oilers including guys like Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl realized how good they were with or without McDavid. But for whatever reason, the Oilers came roaring back from the dead. Since that 8 of 10 stretch they’ve won 9 of 13 and in the process Taylor Hall picked up a NHL ‘three stars of the week’ award. Hall’s line centered by Draisaitl with Teddy Purcell on the other side has been one of the hottest in hockey. Most rebuilding teams would salivate over the chance to rebuild their team around Draisiatl and Hall.

But for the Oilers, waiting in the wings is Connor McDavid. Forget the fact that he’s been anointed ‘the second coming’. Forget the fact that Wayne Greztky–for those of you scoring at home considered by many (this writer included) the greatest hockey player of all time–has said McDavid has all the tools to be even better than he was. When he was injured McDavid was a point a game player who has demonstrated incredible maturity and poise–along with sick, sick skills that have made NHL veterans look downright silly at times.

McDavid is skating again and says he feels good mentally and physically. The bone is coming along nicely but as he put it himself “the bone only heals as fast as it heals”. The Oilers still need a competent defensive corps and an upgrade at goalie. But they’re on the verge of having two lines that could be as good as any in the NHL. Throw in the fact that McDavid had quickly become one of the most fun to watch players in the NHL and the second half of the NHL season could be very entertaining.