Yesterday the Oilers announced that they were not planning to return Connor McDavid to game action until after the All-Star break. This makes it not until February 2nd that we are likely to see him back in the NHL.
Naturally, this news is disappointing. All we heard from the player and various reports was that the Oiler super-rookie was healing way ahead of schedule. But what is a normal schedule?
Last year, Patrick Kane was out 6-8 wks but rushing back for playoffs.
8-12 wks is typical. https://t.co/68dlKAlng2
— David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) January 5, 2016So a typical recovery is 12 weeks at the long end. McDavid’s recovery was ahead of schedule and he has been working on battle drills since January 2nd. However, the Oilers are going to keep him out of any game action until at least February 2nd which places McDavid at roughly 13 weeks.
It doesn’t take an MD with 17 years of experience consulting professional athletics clubs to know the Oilers have opted for extreme caution with their prized possession. And, what I’ve learned over the last 24 hours, many people are happy to let McDavid take the extra couple weeks off in the name of healing. In fact, even having me question the wisdom of allowing an already healed bone sit around for a few extra weeks just to be sure will make people go crazy.
It just seems to me based on all the information we had about the break when it happened (clean break, no other damage), the news about his recovery (pain free almost immediately, ahead of schedule), and the fact that he’s obviously already cleared for at least some contact, that the Oilers are making an arbitrary decision on when McDavid comes back as opposed to inserting him in the lineup as soon as he’s ready.
Again, there are probably a majority of Oiler fans who are perfectly fine with that. It just delays how quickly this impact forward can help the team win some games.
I’ve always been of the mind that these are professional athletes and we cant protect them from everything. If the medical staff says that McDavid is safe to play then, to me, he should be playing. Conversely, if it’s the medical staff (vs the coaching staff or management) saying he needs more time then that’s all there is to it.
In any event, that means the Oilers have to make it through 8 more games and the All-Start break before they will be getting McDavid back. When he returns he comes back with his game-breaking speed, talent, and instantly gives the team a center to build a 3rd scoring line around.
We wait, some of us more patiently than others.
LINEUP
Let’s assume the same lineup as the last one.
UPDATE
Hunt is out, Fayne is in. Talbot definitely starting.
Hall-Draisaitl-Purcell Pouliot-RNH-Eberle Hendricks-Letestu-Korpikoski Klinkhammer-Lander-Pakarinen
Nurse-Schultz Sekera-Fayne Davidson-Gryba
Talbot
OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME
1) Score On The OTHER Goalie. I couldn’t resist mentioning that the game against Tampa Bay was an Oiler “meltdown… the likes I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. Sure, 3rd period collapses have been a dime a dozen since the rebuild began. However, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen one where the Oilers actually score all three goals needed to lose the game. The Davidson one was unfortunate. That stuff happens. But to have it followed up with Hall’s beautiful chip shot was insult to injury for Talbot who was playing a great game. Then to complete the Trilogy off of Nurse’s skate and lose the game without even picking up a point was just too much. They should probably not ever do that again. Just a helpful tip.
2) 11 In A Row. The Panthers have won 11 games in a row. ELEVEN. This current streak is something truly incredible. They have out-scored their opponent’s 38-14 during that stretch. They aren’t exactly lighting it up and winning with offense so much as they are shutting their opponents down It’s tough to win when you cant score. The Panthers have held their opponent to 1 goal or less 8 times in this 11 game winning streak. From a possession standpoint, the Panthers dont look like a team that should be dominating, but timely goaltending covers up for a lot. This year Lu has a .931 save percentage.
3) Old Man Power. When I think of the Panthers I think of a team that’s young like the Oilers. I think of Barkov, Huberdeau, and Ekblad. Except, none of those players are leading the Panthers in scoring. That distinction goes to none other than Jaromir Jagr, the ageless wonder. In less than 17 minutes a night he is leading the Panthers with 14 goals and 30 points in 38 games. Jagr has victimized every team in the NHL for longer than some of his teammates have been alive. At 43 one wonders if it’s the mullet that’s keeping his game so young. Whatever it is, he needs to keep doing his thing and I will happily watch him play. Hey, maybe he wants to be McDavid’s winger next year…
Puck drops tonight at 7:30PM Mountain Time on Sportsnet One. Get Better, Connor! Follow me on Twitter @Archaeologuy