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Report: Connor McDavid is Weeks Ahead of Schedule
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baggedmilk
Nov 27, 2015, 05:00 ESTUpdated: May 17, 2018, 16:54 EDT
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Mark Spector is reporting that Connor McDavid’s broken angel wing is “weeks ahead of schedule.” Together, we’re going to take a look at what that means.
It goes without saying that Connor McDavid is water to the Edmonton Oilers – without him they’re weak and on the verge of death. Last night, the Edmonton Oilers made the 26th place Carolina Hurricanes look like champions at life.
By comparison, the Hurricanes looked like thoroughbred horses, running through a meadow. The Oilers? They were like the rat that couldn’t carry pizza down the stairs. They’re fun to watch for a minute but nothing you’d want in your house long term. If hockey games could be a smell that one was a fart, and likely proof that the Oilers aren’t going to make the playoffs… again.
That brings me back to Connor McDavid. If that beautifully resculpted clavicle can mend itself back together again early enough Connor McDavid might find himself right back in the calder race. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First let’s look at what Peter Chiarelli actually said in Spector’s article.
“He’s ahead of schedule. He’s been in the pool, been lifting weights… There are no soft tissue injuries, which is important. When you get a break like that, oftentimes there is accompanying soft tissue injuries. That slows down the recovery.”
ERMAHGERD HE’S GOING TO BE BACK FOR CHRISTMAS, ISN’T HE!? HE’S GOING TO EAT THE COOKIES I’LL LEAVE OUT FOR HIM, WON’T HE?! Wait… let’s calm down. What else did Petey have to say?
“I can tell you that when it comes time, he is going to want to come back a lot earlier than what we forecast internally.”
IT’S A FESTIVUS MIRACLE! Okay, I’m doing that thing again. I’m probably getting overstimulated – I need to sit down. Feeling faint. Connor McDavid I miss youuuuuuuu. Back to the interview…
“It’ll be interesting. We’ll make the best decision for the organization and Connor.”
BAH! That’s boring. Peter Chiarelli is a tight lipped man, and you would expect him to be. Chiarelli isn’t going to tell us anything useful. This information is going to be harder to acquire than I had expected, and we’re going to have to go back to the tape. Spector also had quotes from McDavid’s agent, Jeff Jackson. What did the agent have to say?
“He’s feeling really good. He’s getting treatment, working on different things. He’s one of those athletes, if he’s told to do something he’ll do it to the N’th degree. There are no shortcuts with this kid.”
Yes, we know. Connor McDavid is a finely sculpted wonder child. What else?
“He wants to get back as soon as he can. He hates watching, and he wants to be on the ice with his teammates as soon as he can. I know it’s a cliche, but he hates it.”
HE’S AMAZING AT HOCKEY AND A GOOD TEAMMATE AND HE PROBABLY MISSES YAK TOO! Go on…
“No one is going to rush him back for the sake of having him back. If you picked a date, I’d add a week onto it. They’re not in the playoff race. They’re right there in games, but…”
But what? Are you implying that the Oilers are awful or something? Finish your thought…
“He’s like a thoroughbred. You can’t keep him in the barn. Last year (while with Erie in junior) he broke his hand. The first day after he got the cast off he was on the ice shooting. Looked like he hadn’t missed a beat. He went right into the World Junior camp.”
Alright, so I cut out a bunch of the boring filler out of the article but the point remains the same. Connor McDavid is defying expectations again. In my opinion, both Peter Chiarelli and McDavid’s agent seem to be waiting for him to blow away their expectations, even in terms of his health. And why shouldn’t he be able to? Every time someone seems to doubt Connor McDavid he shows up and proves them wrong in empathic style.
Can he dominate in the NHL? Damned right he can. Can he take over games all by himself? Got it on tape, bro. Can he gain the respect of his teammates to the point where they’re calling HIM a leader in the room? Already done, compadre. Who’s to say he can’t sit in the mirror and scream at his collarbone until that mother trucker magically heals itself? I’m not going to say never.
If Connor McDavid can convince his man boy bones to heal faster than Gord bless him. Let’s break it down: If that angel wing of his can fly by January 12th that leaves 39 games for him to chip away at the rookie scoring lead. The current rookie leader is Artemi Panarin with 23 points in 22 games, and it would be difficult to catch him, but if anyone could hypothetically do it wouldn’t you bet on Connor McDavid? Maybe. Maybe not. Regardless, this player is bigger than a Calder trophy.
If he can come back with nearly half a season left to play things might change around here. The Oilers looked to be hitting their stride when McDavid went down, and I’d be willing to bet that his addition could have them reaching that level again. Will it be too late to save the season? Probably. For me just knowing that we’re a day closer to watch Connor play, and his bone is doing everything it can to help, that’s a win enough for me. After last night, I think we all need a win.

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