McDavid Focuses on Oilers’ Strong Start for the Upcoming Season…
Connor McDavid reflects on last season’s rough beginning and adjusts his offseason training in response.
As the new NHL season approaches, Edmonton Oilers fans might still be wary of last year’s disappointing start. Captain Connor McDavid, fully aware of the need for improvement, recently shared his commitment to ensuring a better opening to the season, with hopes of continuing their momentum from June. The key question now is: what changes have the Oilers implemented this offseason to prevent a repeat of last year’s slow start?
The Oilers entered the 2023-24 season as a top contender for the Stanley Cup, but their hopes were quickly dampened by a dismal 2-9-2 start. The team struggled in all areas—underperforming offensively, weak defense, and goaltending issues. It was a far cry from their championship aspirations, leading to the dismissal of their coach.
What Led to the Oilers’ Poor Start?
McDavid identified overtraining in the offseason as a major cause of their struggles. Following back-to-back playoff exits to the eventual Stanley Cup champions, McDavid was eager to hit the ice early last summer. Unfortunately, this strategy backfired.
In a conversation with Mark Spector, McDavid admitted, “I was just very tired and fatigued from a long summer of training and was not feeling very good on the ice. And it translated.”
What’s Different This Year?
McDavid has since learned the value of rest. He emphasized, “Last year taught us that you can’t win the Cup in September and October. But you can certainly put yourself in a tough spot.”
As a result, McDavid and the Oilers took a different approach this offseason. He and his teammates prioritized rest, ensuring their bodies were fully recovered before the new season. McDavid is hopeful that this strategy will help avoid a repeat of last season’s struggles.
For Oilers fans, there’s optimism that this refreshed approach will lead to a strong start in the 2024-25 season, fueled by the motivation to redeem last year’s disappointment and, ultimately, bring the Stanley Cup back to Edmonton.
