Connor McDavid continuing to raise the bar: ‘We need to talk about it more’

Jay Woodcroft is in a novel place.

The Edmonton Oilers head coach has a front-row seat — and behind-the-scenes entry — to the each day strategy of greatness going to work.

And even in a season the place Connor McDavid appears poised to succeed in statistical heights not seen in almost three many years, Woodcroft concedes there are occasions hockey’s greatest is taken with no consideration.

“Prime of his discipline,” the Oilers’ second-year bench boss mentioned of Edmonton’s captain. “You nearly turn into numb to the nice issues that he does as a result of he simply does it day-after-day. I might evaluate that to somebody who lives on the foot of Mount Everest.

“You don’t respect the magnificence that you just’re seeing.”

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McDavid has actually been magnificent this season.

The 26-year-old heads into the NHL all-star break with a league-leading 92 factors in 50 video games — 16 greater than teammate Leon Draisaitl, a distant second within the general scoring race.

McDavid is on tempo to register 151 factors in 2022-23, probably the most since Mario Lemieux’s 161 in 1995-96 and two higher than Jaromir Jagr’s complete from the identical season.

He’s additionally on target for 67 objectives — two in need of Lemieux within the mid-Nineteen Nineties and two higher than Alex Ovechkin’s 65 put up in 2007-08.

However regardless of McDavid’s identify dotting the scoresheet nearly each time the Newmarket, Ont., product hits the ice, there’s a way his bar-raising efficiency isn’t getting the suitable stage of consideration.

“If he was that dominant within the NFL, NBA or MLB, he’d be talked about far more,” New York Rangers ahead Barclay Goodrow mentioned. “I don’t assume there’s one other participant within the 4 main sports activities leagues as dominant.”

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk remembers cringing on the considered having to play the Oilers 9 occasions in the course of the NHL’s division-only 2020-21 season shortened by COVID-19.

Twice in 82 video games is sufficient.

“To only see how far forward he’s of the pack, I feel we have to discuss it extra,” Tkachuk mentioned. “I really feel like everyone’s simply saying, ‘Oh, that’s what we count on.’”

John Tavares mentioned McDavid’s 41 objectives — three off his career-high set final season — is what actually pops off the web page.

“A kind of participant the league hasn’t seen earlier than,” mentioned the Toronto Maple Leafs captain.

Tavares added that earlier in his profession, McDavid was a pass-dominant centre able to scoring as a result of he noticed a lot of the puck, thought the sport at a unique stage, and was all the time across the web.

“Now he’s actually placing defenders and goalies on their heels together with his launch, his shot, his confidence, the kind of objectives he’s scoring,” Tavares mentioned. “That clearly has taken a step for him. Actually spectacular how he continues to get higher.”

Nashville Predators defenceman Roman Josi mentioned McDavid fairly merely isn’t getting the accolades he deserves.

Why?

“As a result of he’s Connor McDavid,” Josi mentioned. “There’s actually no phrases for what he’s doing. Like, it’s loopy. He ought to get much more credit score for what he’s doing. However as a result of he’s so good, I suppose he doesn’t.”

Tavares mentioned loads of the hockey he watches is on TV late at night time.

McDavid is commonly the star attraction.

“Each shift you’re ready on him to do one thing,” Tavares mentioned. “He has the puck that a lot. The skating is so dominant. He had 105 factors within the shortened (56-game) COVID season — unbelievable to assume somebody might do this.

“He’s pushing that envelope of what that tempo was.”

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Woodcroft mentioned that push has been accented by added layers to McDavid’s sport — specifically a willingness to shoot extra and accepting a extra vocal position in Edmonton’s locker room.

“He’s main the NHL in objectives for a motive,” Woodcroft mentioned. “He’s doing it in numerous methods.”

Goodrow, who grew up within the suburbs north of Toronto and heard McDavid’s identify uttered inside native rinks lengthy earlier than he was the NHL’s brightest mild, mentioned making an attempt to comprise the highest choose on the 2015 draft is now subsequent to inconceivable.

“A lot quicker than everybody else,” Goodrow mentioned. “You are able to do your job, you may preserve him to the surface. But when he has that step on you, if he has that likelihood … it’s robust.

“Enjoyable to look at. Horrible to play towards. Nevertheless it’s nice for our league.”

Extra from Sportsnet

Handing out NHL midseason awards: Connor McDavid the runaway MVP

Things We Know: McDavid is the NHL’s fastest skater, whether he’s in the event or not

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OH BROTHER

Brady Tkachuk might be joined by older brother and Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk on the Atlantic Division crew at Saturday’s NHL all-star sport. They are going to turn into the eleventh set of brothers in league historical past to play on the identical all-star squad, and the primary since Henrik and Daniel Sedin in 2012.

SKILLS WRINKLES

Friday’s all-star abilities competitors may have the classics just like the quickest skater, hardest shot, capturing accuracy and breakaway problem. There may even be some South Florida wrinkles, together with a “splash shot” occasion that can see gamers try and hit targets and ship opponents right into a water-filled dunk tank.

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