BOOOOOOOOO! *grabs machete, remembers it’s probably for the best, puts machete away*
It’s not that I’m really surprised that Connor McDavid won’t be back until after the All-Star break, but I have to say that I am a little bit disappointed. Never would I have wanted the Oilers to rush Connor back into action, but seeing that he has been involved in battle drills had me feeling excited. Normally when you see a guy getting back into the physical side of the game it means that they’re close, not another month (basically) away. 
The Oilers’ first game back, after the All-Star break, is on February 2nd against the Columbus Blue Jackets which also happens to be a home game. That Tuesday will be 13-weeks exactly since McDavid was injured, and seems like a plausible date for his return. Although it’s disappointing that we’re still a ways away from seeing our sweet prince return to the ice, today’s update gives us a pretty good idea about when he’ll be back. The Oilers are taking the safe approach and it’s easy to understand why.
I will admit that I am happy to see that the Oilers are being patient with McDavid’s recovery. As much as I want to see him buzzing around the ice it’s important that his collarbone has properly healed before coming back. I would rather wait a few extra weeks to have the bone heal properly than risk this thing turning into a recurring problem. It sucks the hind banana that we have to wait, but there’s a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow. As Lowetide would say, we wait. 

McTIMELINE

  • Injured – November 3rd
  • Surgery to repair broken clavicle – November 4th
  • Skating for a week, and taking shots on his own – December 18th
  • Skating with the team – December 21st
  • Takes part in battle drills – January 6th

McDavid Responds

“It gives me an extra week of bone healing & getting ready to play.” @cmcdavid97 on return following #NHLAllStar
https://t.co/Fh9lEYNVFV
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) January 9, 2016

WHAT ELSE DID THEY SAY?