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Connor McDavid injury: Insider claims Oilers star set to miss weeks with lower-body issue
The Edmonton Oilers may have dodged a bullet with Connor McDavid's health, but they're not exactly out of the woods yet. The star forward and reigning Conn Smythe award winner went down with a lower-body injury earlier this week. It looks like it will not be the worst-case scenario, but he will still miss some time.
Elliotte Friedman, a top hockey analyst, reported that McDavid avoided the worst possible diagnosis, but he's still going to miss "at least a couple of weeks." He also noted that the official timeline has yet to be determined.
The Oilers, however, have since announced that they expect McDavid to be out for anywhere between two-three weeks if his injury rehabilation goes according to plan.
The Edmonton Oilers are experiencing a bit of a Stanley Cup Final hangover as they're off to a rough start in 2024. They're 4-5-1 in the early going and are seventh in the Pacific Division. That was with McDavid, though.
The forward is widely considered the best player in the NHL and is one of the most impactful on the ice. Without him, the struggling Oilers might have a hard time bouncing back.
Oilers star opens up on loss of Connor McDavid
Connor McDavid may have to sit by and watch while his teammates try to turn Edmonton's season around. Fellow forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins lamented McDavid's injury.
Via NHL, he said:
“He's our leader and also the best player in the game. So, of course you're going to feel it. We’ve got to do a better job of stepping up when a guy like that goes down.”
Head coach Kris Knoblauch said it was "tough:"
“Anytime you are playing without your best player, but it’s something that’s hopefully short term. Obviously, our team is going to look different. Maybe that's one, two games."
With a new diagnosis, one or two games is far too optimistic of a timeline. The coach previously said:
“It’s your captain, your best player. It should be an opportunity for guys to step up and say, ‘Oh, I’ve got this.' It’s more ice time, more opportunities.”
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, who was involved in the play that injured McDavid, said "there was nothing intentional at all" and that he "might have nicked him" when going for a puck.
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