Post by Yzerman Is The Man on Aug 24, 2015 9:04:32 GMT -6
Thanks to didthedougie for this one:
Unless you are a fan of the Edmonton Oilers, there was plenty of nausea to go around once the draft lottery results were decided. Once again, the Oilers would be selecting first overall. This was no ordinary draft however. The 2015 NHL draft was considered by many scouts to be one of the deepest in recent history, maybe ever. Headlining this draft, a name that has already been etched in stone. Connor McDavid. Widely considered to be the next Gretzky/Crosby/(insert name of insanely good player here), league wide disappointment is an understatement when it comes to the Oilers getting yet another young player.
This begs the question: How many first overall picks does it take to turn a franchise around? I digress.
However when analyzing McDavids talent, and listening to what everyone has to say about the player, there is one incredibly sobering truth. With expectations so high, McDavid ultimately has much farther to fall than he does to climb.
In three seasons with the OHL’s Erie Otters, McDavid’s stats sure do give a decent amount of credit to all of the praise he has been given. In 166 OHL contests, McDavid amassed 97 goals, 188 assists which totals a whopping 285 points. Not bad for a junior career. The list goes on, as McDavid has scored over a PPG pace at every level he has played in.
This has earned McDavid titles such as “generational talent” and “the next Gretzky”, assuring that he will step right into the NHL and be a game changer. Likely slotting immediately into the Oiler’s top 6, it seems that McDavid is only destined for one thing, OELness.
Lets imagine for a moment the torrential downpour of criticism that would follow should McDavid’s transition to the NHL be a little more ‘normal’ rather than completely seamless. For all intensive purposes, I think its safe to assume that McDavid has already become a household name. Opposing teams definitely know about him and his talent. If I am a smart GM/coach, and I know I am not getting this talent to play on my team, it would be in my best interest to figure out what I’m dealing with. After viewing the talent and what he will bring to the table as an opponent, I begin to structure my game especially to shut McDavid’s strengths down.
Playing devils advocate, McDavid will not have it as easy as most rookies. Not only will he likely be playing with the Oiler’s best two wingers, but he is going to see all of the toughest defensive matchups. Right from the get go, you are making it harder for this player to make plays, and more importantly making it much harder for him to make a difference. He wont be shown any kindness in the corners, he wont be able to breathe when he has the puck, and most importantly Oiler’s fans better hope he never skates with his head down.
Can McDavid skate through the matchups and deal with the immense pressure of the expectations placed on him? Maybe, but what if it takes him longer than expected? How long before the fans become disappointed with his output and chastise him like they did Yakupov? All questions that will be answered in the season to come.
Rewinding to the draft lottery, I thought it was priceless to see Bill Daly’s reaction to the Oilers winning the draft lottery again. What could top it? Watching McDavid’s reaction knowing he was going to be going to a franchise which has failed to even be Mediocre the last decade.
Sure they have made changes. Management has changed, their coaching will arguably be better this year. There is one thing that has gotten away from the minds of most people in the McDavid excitement is the fact that this Oilers team still has many question marks. More question marks than answers. Is McDavid really an answer to the Oiler’s Woes?
Ultimately nothing matters until prospects take that next step. When they throw on their NHL jersey and perform, then questions can be answered. Who cares if he scored 4 goals playing against a bunch of unproven Oilers prospects? Who cares if McDavid and Hall found chemistry enough to hook up for one goal in a scrimmage? It doesn’t change the fact that it only takes one time being Kronwalled for a potential young star like McDavid to become the next Lindros. He is going to see all of those big D men all year, I would say chances of him taking a huge hit are more likely than him putting up a PPG pace his first year. Or even his second.
Another sobering fact, it takes more than one player to win the Stanley Cup. Or even to make it to the playoffs for that matter. For a guy that draws a lot of Sidney Crosby comparisons, another fact to consider is that Crosby has only won ONE cup, playing for a team that was FAR AND AWAY better than the Oiler’s current makeup.
I get that it isn’t the expectation to have McDavid and instantly become a cup contender. My point is this, if McDavid ends up being anything less than the Gretzky/Crosby he is portrayed as, then fans will turn on him, call him a bust, and he will lose confidence.
One thing is for certain, McDavid is going to be in for one wild ride this year, one way or another. Good luck kid, I already have my Connor McBust jersey on preorder.
Unless you are a fan of the Edmonton Oilers, there was plenty of nausea to go around once the draft lottery results were decided. Once again, the Oilers would be selecting first overall. This was no ordinary draft however. The 2015 NHL draft was considered by many scouts to be one of the deepest in recent history, maybe ever. Headlining this draft, a name that has already been etched in stone. Connor McDavid. Widely considered to be the next Gretzky/Crosby/(insert name of insanely good player here), league wide disappointment is an understatement when it comes to the Oilers getting yet another young player.
This begs the question: How many first overall picks does it take to turn a franchise around? I digress.
However when analyzing McDavids talent, and listening to what everyone has to say about the player, there is one incredibly sobering truth. With expectations so high, McDavid ultimately has much farther to fall than he does to climb.
In three seasons with the OHL’s Erie Otters, McDavid’s stats sure do give a decent amount of credit to all of the praise he has been given. In 166 OHL contests, McDavid amassed 97 goals, 188 assists which totals a whopping 285 points. Not bad for a junior career. The list goes on, as McDavid has scored over a PPG pace at every level he has played in.
This has earned McDavid titles such as “generational talent” and “the next Gretzky”, assuring that he will step right into the NHL and be a game changer. Likely slotting immediately into the Oiler’s top 6, it seems that McDavid is only destined for one thing, OELness.
Lets imagine for a moment the torrential downpour of criticism that would follow should McDavid’s transition to the NHL be a little more ‘normal’ rather than completely seamless. For all intensive purposes, I think its safe to assume that McDavid has already become a household name. Opposing teams definitely know about him and his talent. If I am a smart GM/coach, and I know I am not getting this talent to play on my team, it would be in my best interest to figure out what I’m dealing with. After viewing the talent and what he will bring to the table as an opponent, I begin to structure my game especially to shut McDavid’s strengths down.
Playing devils advocate, McDavid will not have it as easy as most rookies. Not only will he likely be playing with the Oiler’s best two wingers, but he is going to see all of the toughest defensive matchups. Right from the get go, you are making it harder for this player to make plays, and more importantly making it much harder for him to make a difference. He wont be shown any kindness in the corners, he wont be able to breathe when he has the puck, and most importantly Oiler’s fans better hope he never skates with his head down.
Can McDavid skate through the matchups and deal with the immense pressure of the expectations placed on him? Maybe, but what if it takes him longer than expected? How long before the fans become disappointed with his output and chastise him like they did Yakupov? All questions that will be answered in the season to come.
Rewinding to the draft lottery, I thought it was priceless to see Bill Daly’s reaction to the Oilers winning the draft lottery again. What could top it? Watching McDavid’s reaction knowing he was going to be going to a franchise which has failed to even be Mediocre the last decade.
Sure they have made changes. Management has changed, their coaching will arguably be better this year. There is one thing that has gotten away from the minds of most people in the McDavid excitement is the fact that this Oilers team still has many question marks. More question marks than answers. Is McDavid really an answer to the Oiler’s Woes?
Ultimately nothing matters until prospects take that next step. When they throw on their NHL jersey and perform, then questions can be answered. Who cares if he scored 4 goals playing against a bunch of unproven Oilers prospects? Who cares if McDavid and Hall found chemistry enough to hook up for one goal in a scrimmage? It doesn’t change the fact that it only takes one time being Kronwalled for a potential young star like McDavid to become the next Lindros. He is going to see all of those big D men all year, I would say chances of him taking a huge hit are more likely than him putting up a PPG pace his first year. Or even his second.
Another sobering fact, it takes more than one player to win the Stanley Cup. Or even to make it to the playoffs for that matter. For a guy that draws a lot of Sidney Crosby comparisons, another fact to consider is that Crosby has only won ONE cup, playing for a team that was FAR AND AWAY better than the Oiler’s current makeup.
I get that it isn’t the expectation to have McDavid and instantly become a cup contender. My point is this, if McDavid ends up being anything less than the Gretzky/Crosby he is portrayed as, then fans will turn on him, call him a bust, and he will lose confidence.
One thing is for certain, McDavid is going to be in for one wild ride this year, one way or another. Good luck kid, I already have my Connor McBust jersey on preorder.
