This is Connor McDavid’s world, we’re just living in it. The NHL’s most lethal skater made a statement that made everyone stand up and take notice, signing a cut-price, two-year, $25 million deal to re-up with the Edmonton Oilers.
The Oilers now have security over the next few years. And while their season opener didn’t exactly set the right tone for the rest of the season, it appears McDavid wasted no time making a statement in that thrilling loss to the Calgary Flames.
How Connor McDavid Set A Personal Best In Season Opener Vs. Calgary Flames
The Oilers coasted to a 3-0 lead against the Flames. But that didn’t last very long.
Thanks to a second-half meltdown by the defense and Stuart Skinner, the Oilers fell to a shootout loss to Calgary, souring the aftertaste left by McDavid committing his immediate short-term future to the franchise.
That said, McDavid decided he would show up and show out against the Flames. Per NHL Edge stats, McDavid hit a top speed of 24.61 mph skating against Calgary. That’s good enough for his highest mark since tracking began in 2021/22. His previous high was 24.19 mph.
Last season, in what was a down year by his own standards, McDavid hit 23.97 mph.
But that’s not all. Per Edge tracking, the Oilers captain registered 14 bursts over 20 mph in the season opener. He averaged that feat 6.6 times per game last season.
It’s clear McDavid is hyped following a stunning move to leave a lot of money on the table with his two-year extension. While they didn’t manage to hold on to their lead in the season opener against Calgary, the Oilers’ offense did look comfortable setting the pace early on.
The addition of former Carolina Hurricanes center Jack Roslovic is only expected to add some more fluidity to this Oilers unit. With $49 million man Jake Walman now expected to miss some time with an injury, the onus will fall on the offense to keep Edmonton afloat as they look to recover from the sloppy loss to Calgary.
The Oilers will next take the ice on Saturday, Oct. 11, when they welcome the Vancouver Canucks to Rogers Place at 10 p.m. EDT.