The Edmonton Oilers have once again stumbled out of the gate, sitting at 4-4-2 through ten games. The offense has sputtered, the rhythm looks off, and Connor McDavid’s quiet start has only amplified the unease. Around the city, patience is thinning as fans and former players alike wonder if this team is slipping into old habits again.
Can the Oilers Rely on Connor McDavid Alone?
Former Oilers captain and coach Craig MacTavish added his voice to this week’s discussion, offering a measured but pointed assessment of where things stand. Speaking on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer, MacTavish said the team’s issues go beyond finishing chances as they’re tied to how Edmonton is built for the grind of an 82-game schedule.
“The power plays taking off, these guys are getting to where they’re at year in and year out. Maybe we need to lower our expectation for what we’re going to see during the regular season. When you’re honest and you compare lineups against the elite teams in the league, there’s not a great comparison,” he said.
It was a candid look from someone who knows what it takes to win in Edmonton. MacTavish wasn’t questioning McDavid’s talent, far from it, but rather acknowledging that the Oilers’ structure often leans too heavily on a few stars to carry the load.
McDavid has just one goal through ten games and none at even strength. His shot rate is the lowest since his rookie season, even though his skating remains elite. The opportunities are there, but the finish isn’t.
“He’s (McDavid) just got to capitalize more on the chances he gets,” MacTavish said. “He’s not capitalizing at the rate that he used to. It’s probably an anomaly and that will change.”
Why Edmonton’s Strength at the Top Might Be Its Weakness Over Time
MacTavish suggested that Edmonton’s bigger issue is that the group behind McDavid and Leon Draisaitl hasn’t consistently lightened the burden.
“They can beat teams in the playoffs. But during the regular season on an 82-game, the depth is going to play a part,” he added.
That theme of depth and durability has defined much of Edmonton’s early-season discourse. Head coach Kris Knoblauch continues to shuffle line combinations, searching for a spark that sticks. Injuries and fatigue have also played a role.
MacTavish’s comments struck a chord because they cut to the core of Edmonton’s long-running dilemma of having a top-heavy lineup that thrives when rested but strains over time. The stars can carry them in the postseason, but if the Oilers want to avoid another midseason scramble, their regular-season depth has to show up sooner rather than later.
