NHL superstar Connor McDavid commiserated with veteran San Jose Sharks forward Logan Couture over the latter’s career-ending injury. Couture is expected to announce his inability to play competitive hockey because of a pelvic injury in a press conference on Tuesday, April 15.
Edmonton Oilers captain McDavid answered a question about Couture’s unfortunate situation during a media interaction at the Downtown Community Arena in Edmonton, Canada, following Tuesday’s optional skate.
Connor McDavid Remembers Playing Against Logan Couture
During the media session, McDavid was asked about his memories of playing against Couture.
“He was a great player. You know, I remember those great San Jose teams, and he was a massive, massive piece to those teams,” McDavid said. “And, obviously, it’s extremely unfortunate, and you hate to see it. Obviously, he’s been dealing with whatever he’s been dealing with for a long time now. And it’s unfortunate. I feel for him, you know, but great, great memories going up against him. Great battles with him and those Sharks.”
Couture has spent the entirety of the current season on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). He has not played a game since February 2024 due to osteitis pubis, a groin ailment. The veteran tried to return to competitive hockey multiple times during the 2023-24 season, only to face recurring flare-ups of his condition.
The news about the 36-year-old Sharks’ captain announcing the end of his playing career was first reported by The Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, who posted about the news on X on Monday.
“There were times when I would skate here, feel good for two days, and then I’d have to stop because it would flare back up again. The flare-ups were the worst part. I couldn’t get out of bed. I couldn’t walk around my house. I couldn’t do anything and spend time with my kids,” Couture said via The Hockey News.
Couture was the ninth overall pick for San Jose in the 2007 NHL Draft. The Canadian player has spent almost 15 full seasons with the franchise since then. He has scored 323 goals and has 378 assists for 701 points in 933 games for the Sharks.
He has also been one of the Sharks’ most consistent playoff performers, with 48 goals and 101 points in 116 postseason games. He was part of the San Jose team that lost the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
According to sources, the veteran center is expected to remain on LTIR until the end of his current contract. Couture is in the sixth year of an eight-year, $64 million deal.