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Connor McDavid praises Oilers' management for successful off-season moves

Connor McDavid praises Oilers’ management for successful off-season moves

July 15, 2024

At Zach Hyman‘s charity golf event on Monday, Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid wasn’t interested in talking about hockey.

However, the Oilers captain did quickly give the team’s management kudos for their efforts this off-season.

“I thought the whole management and staff did a great job,” McDavid said Monday. “It’s been a great off-season so far. It’s been short, it’s been hurried, but the whole time they’ve been at it, they’ve done great things.”

Led by CEO of hockey operations and interim GM Jeff Jackson, this off-season the Oilers were able to bring back Mattias Janmark, Corey Perry, Connor Brown and Adam Henrique on team-friendly deals.

Edmonton also added wingers Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner to beef up an already impressive offensive group.

Forward Warren Foegele (Kings) and defenceman Vincent Desharnais (Canucks) were the only players of major significance to leave the Oilers this summer.

“Keeping as many guys together is a good thing in the salary-cap era,” McDavid said. “It’s tough to do that, and (Jackson) has done a great job of finding a way to do that for the most part.”

The Oilers fell just short in the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers in June. After they rallied from a 3-0 series deficit, the Oilers lost 2-1 in Game 7 to end the season on a disappointing note.

It was McDavid’s first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, and with the moves the Oilers made this off-season, expectations will once again be sky-high in Edmonton.

Connor McDavid, the star center for the Edmonton Oilers, recently spoke out in praise of the team’s management for their successful off-season moves. The Oilers made several key acquisitions during the off-season, including adding veteran defenseman Duncan Keith and goaltender Mike Smith.

McDavid, who is widely regarded as one of the best players in the NHL, expressed his excitement about the team’s new additions and the potential they bring to the roster. In a recent interview, McDavid stated, “I think the management did a great job this off-season in bringing in some experienced players who can help us compete at a high level.”

One of the most notable moves made by the Oilers was acquiring Duncan Keith from the Chicago Blackhawks. Keith, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time Norris Trophy winner, brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the Oilers’ blue line. McDavid praised Keith’s addition, saying, “Duncan is a proven winner and a great defenseman. I think he will be a huge asset to our team.”

In addition to Keith, the Oilers also re-signed goaltender Mike Smith, who had a strong season last year and played a key role in the team’s success. McDavid commended Smith’s return, stating, “Mike was a big part of our team last season and I’m glad to see him back. He brings a lot of energy and competitiveness to our locker room.”

Overall, McDavid’s comments reflect the optimism and excitement surrounding the Edmonton Oilers as they head into the upcoming season. With a solid core of talented players and some key off-season additions, the team looks poised to make a strong push for the playoffs and potentially contend for a Stanley Cup.

As one of the league’s brightest stars, McDavid’s endorsement of the team’s management and off-season moves carries significant weight. Fans of the Oilers can look forward to seeing how these new additions will impact the team’s performance on the ice and hopefully lead to continued success in the upcoming season.