Follow along through training camp as Edmonton's prized prospect, Connor McDavid, makes his way through his first NHL training camp.

The 18-year-old first overall pick is playing his first NHL preseason games and has looked comfortable in his new surroundings.

TSN.ca is monitoring McDavid's training camp performance closely, with Edmonton bureau chief Ryan Rishaug filing regular reports.

 

Saturday, October 3

McDavid: 0 points vs. Canucks

This was by far the toughest competition McDavid has faced so far in the pre-season. Playing against a mostly veteran Canucks lineup, the ice closed up a lot on the speedy 18 year old and the offensive chances were few and far between. 

Two times In the opening frame McDavid's line with Taylor Hall and Anton Slepyshev got bottled up in their own zone and they were forced to ice the puck. Play was choppy and with few smooth breakouts it was tough for them to use their speed through the neutral zone. 

With the offence tough to come by, McDavid did a nice job focusing on some of the smaller details. He won seven of his 14 draws, much better than the 4 for 22 he'd gone the last two games. He also kept his average shift length to 42 seconds, a big improvement over the bulky 54 second he averaged on Thursday. He also made a great defensive play in his own end, coming back deep and stealing a dangerous centering pass.  

TSN Assessment 

This was McDavid's quietest offensive outing and the first time he has been held pointless (please double check). His speed stood out against an NHL calibre lineup  and in tighter confines he played a smart game, choosing not to force offence or take chances defensively. Quiet night, but didn't make any major mistakes.   

 

Thursday, October 1

McDavid: 1 assist vs. Canucks

McDavid's line got off to a fantastic start, scoring a goal on their first shift. McDavid kicked a pass from his skate to his stick while in full stride, then feathered a backhand shot into the pads of Jacob Markstrom where Taylor Hall cleaned up the rebound. The Canucks struck back immediately, so head coach Todd McLellan went right back to McDavid's line, and they nearly scored again. This time Hall saucered a pass to McDavid who darted out from behind the net and nearly put it in.

McDavid skated hard and generated lots of speed through the neutral zone, several times blowing past defenders who were also in full stride. His acceleration was on display a number of times and led to a few good scoring chances. He once again showed he isn't afraid to take the puck to the net with reckless abandon, driving to the crease in the third trying to muscle a puck in.

Midway through the second, McLellan took Leon Draisaitl off McDavid's line and replaced him with Anton Slepyshev, a Russian rookie who is pushing hard for a roster spot.

McDavid took his first penalty of the pre-season, a hooking call at the 20:00 minute mark of the first. The Canucks converted a PP goal early in the third off this penalty.
 

TSN Assessment

Not as strong a performance overall as his last game, but McDavid was still dangerous, and made mostly sound decisions with the puck. He had several good looks and was a threat off the rush. Once again he struggled in the faceoff circle, going 0-for-6 through two periods, 2-for-11 on the night. Also notable, his average shift length was 54 seconds, most among any forward in the game and a little longer than most coaches might like. Both of these stats are very common with players fresh out of junior hockey.

 

Wednesday, September 30

Practice Day

Wednesday was a practice day at the Royal Glenora Club in Edmonton for McDavid and the Oilers. Once again, McDavid skated on a line with Leon Draisaitl and Taylor Hall, a line that is expected to play together Thursday night against Vancouver.

 

Tuesday, September 29

McDavid a force vs. Coyotes

Connor McDavid was dangerous start to finish on Tuesday night. Though his point totals may not reflect it, this was his best overall offensive game. McDavid had no less than four high quality scoring chances, and though he failed to convert any of them, he was a force most of the night.

McDavid won countless puck battles along the boards and in the corners. A quick stick, and incredible anticipation led to several plays that had the crowd in awe. The best example came in the opening frame when he spun off a Kyle Chipchura check in the corner, while maintaing control, then fired a pass in front for a scoring chance. The shift before, he pick-pocketed Chipchura in the slot, negating a scoring chance.

He and Taylor Hall worked well together five-on-five, and continue to click nicely using their speed off the rush often.

TSN Assessment

This was McDavid's best performance. He processed the game at a world class level, and created offensive chances all night. He continues to show very good defensive presence, while not sacrificing offence to do so. His confidence seems to be increasing, and he is making quality plays with almost every touch of the puck.

To this point in preseason, McDavid has been one of the Oilers' two best players overall. (Anton Lander is the other with five goals in five games)

 

Monday, September 28

Double Duty

Monday was a busy day for Connor McDavid and the Oilers, beginning with a lengthy practice session. Todd McLellan ran them through drills for about 45 minutes, then flooded the ice and had them come back out for a special teams practice. McDavid was on a line with Leon Draisaitl at right wing, and Taylor Hall on the left. I would expect these three to play together Tuesday night against Arizona. He practiced on a PP unit with Nail Yakupov, Anton Lander and Lubomir Sekera. McLellan is beginning to implement a few of the PP and PK strategies he wants to see during the regular season.

After practice McDavid was at the Edmonton Zoo taking part in a Children's Wish Foundation event involving Andrew Ference, and six-year-old cancer patient Mable, who on this day was known as "Spider Mable". She spent the day working with Spider Man to solve the mystery of the kidnapped Oilers Captain from the evil "Mysterio". McDavid was there to offer his many thanks to Mable for rescuing their fearless leader. The event captured the city for the day, and was all over social media. Adding McDavid was a nice touch by he and the Oilers.

 

Saturday, September 26

Making adjustments

It was another first star performance for Connor McDavid in his second NHL exhibition game. With Taylor Hall getting the night off, McDavid was skating on a new-look line alongside Russian rookie Anton Slepyshev and Leon Draisaitl, bigger players but lacking the same level of speed Hall and McDavid possess.

McDavid did a nice job adjusting his game to sync well with his new linemates and the group did a little more dumping, chasing, and grinding pucks out of corners. One shift in the third period, they held the offensive zone for close to a full minute, cycling and finding one another in open ice. Sensing they were clicking well, Todd Mclellan double shifted the line and they ended up generating a goal on their next shift. The line was easily the best on the ice for either team, producing a pair of 5-on-5 goals, with McDavid picking up an assist on the first one. 

The first overall pick also had several good physical plays, standing up 6’3, 215lbs defenceman Tyson Strachan at the offensive blue line and aggressively working another opponent over in the corner with his stick in a battle for the puck. The only downside to his night was being on the ice for the three-on-three overtime goal against, though it wasn't any error on his part that led to the goal.

TSN Assessment

McDavid looked more comfortable in this game than he did Monday against Calgary, and admitted as much afterwards.  He generated no less than five quality scoring chances and once again gave up little in his own end.  While he isn't dominating, he is definitely standing out and generating offence at a very high level. 

 

Thursday, September 23

McDavid keeps his linemates

For the third consecutive day of practice, Connor McDavid found himself on a line with Leon Draisaitl and Taylor Hall. Oilers coach Todd McLellan continued implementing the systems he wants in play and focused on McDavid's line for some corrections in offensive-zone positioning.

It remains to be seen if McDavid will play Friday night in Winnipeg because the team also plays Saturday afternoon in Saskatoon and it seems unlikely he would play in both. McLellan did say he'd like to see Draisaitl with that line for a full game.

The team will skate in Edmonton on Friday morning before flying to Winnipeg for the game.

 

Wednesday, September 23

McDavid remains with NHL group

For the second straight day, McDavid skated between Leon Draisaitl and Taylor Hall in the NHL group at Oilers practice. 

McDavid and Hall both sat out Wednesday night's game against the Winnipeg Jets, while Draisaitl played alongside Anton Lander and Nail Yakupov.

 

Tuesday, September 22

McDavid skates with Draisaitl and Hall

On Tuesday Oilers head coach Todd McLellan split his players into two very obvious groups, the NHL players and the AHL players. To nobody's surprise McDavid was part of the NHL group for an hour-long practice.

Teddy Purcell was not part of the skate after suffering some bumps and bruises Monday night which left Leon Draisaitl on the right side with McDavid and Taylor Hall. It will be interesting to see if McLellan keeps this group together for a full game.

Though it isn't confirmed yet, there is a good chance McDavid will see action Wednesday night at home against Winnipeg.

 

Monday, September 21

Pre-season debut: Two assists vs. Flames

Good players find a way to contribute, even on nights where they may not be feeling it.  That was Connor McDavid's exhibition debut.  Largely quiet through the first 45 minutes, McDavid stayed patient and made good when his chance came setting up Leon Draisaitl for the game tying power-play goal late in the third. He then unselfishly set up Nail Yakupov for an empty netter in the final minute.

Head coach Todd McLellan pushed McDavid's ice time up to nearly 21 minutes, the most among all forwards in the game.  He did nice work on the penalty kill, and was 9-5 in the faceoff circle, including a perfect 5-0 opening frame.  Of note, Leon Draisaitl took Teddy Purcell's right wing spot on McDavid's line for the third period, and Taylor Hall left the game after taking a penalized hit late in the final frame.

TSN Assessment

A solid exhibition debut for McDavid who picked up two late assists and was named first star.  The first 45 minutes were pretty quiet, and with play choppy he seldom got the puck on his stick with any speed to attack. He made a few turnovers in the offensive zone trying to force passes, but nothing too costly. It was another good showing of defensive awareness.

 

Sunday, September 20

Lining Up with Hall and Purcell

EDMONTON - Sunday was another 60 minute scrimmage between groups A and B in Leduc, McDavid once again skated between Taylor Hall and Teddy Purcell. The trio was the best line in the opening half. McDavid feathered a pass over a defender's stick to Jordan Oesterle for a power play goal, then converted a feed from Hall on a two-on-one for his first of two goals on the day, both from Hall.

McDavid was matched up often against the line of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Benoit Pouliot and Jordan Eberle. Both lines looked very good at times, and McDavid held his own making good plays and back-checking hard. He had several good battles with Darnell Nurse in the offensive corners and showed a good compete level despite being physically overmatched.

TSN Assessment

Three points in the scrimmage, and lots of good looks offensively with Hall on his wing, solid day for McDavid. Competition ramps up Monday as he's expected to play his first exhibition game Monday at Rexall vs Calgary.

 

Saturday, September 19

Full Speed Scrimmage

EDMONTON - McDavid's day began with a full speed scrimmage against the other main group at training camp. It was a first opportunity to see him in game action between Teddy Purcell and Tyler Hall. As expected they were extremely fast, and used their speed well together off the rush. Hall scored a pair of goals, McDavid picked up a nice assist on the second one feathering a pass to Hall off the rush.  

It was interesting to watch McDavid competing against legitimate NHL calibre defenders. He wasn't able to walk around them with the same ease he had against the rookies in Penticton. His challenge will be to adjust his attack and find ways to challenge veteran defenders. He handled himself well physically and again played defensively sound hockey coming back deep into his own end to help out.  

TSN Assessment

Looked good in scrimmage against NHL calibre opposition, and had some nice chemistry with Hall.

 

Wednesday, September 16

McDavid: Three assists vs. U of Alberta

EDMONTON - The two-time defending CIS champion Alberta Golden Bears were a stiff match for Connor McDavid and the Oiler rookies, many of whom were playing their fourth game in six nights.  

It was a strong opening period for McDavid who picked up power play assists on back-to-back shifts. The second was the nicer of the two, a quick seeing-eye backhand he plucked off the boards from behind the net to Alexis Loiseau.

Other highlights included McDavid batting a pass out of mid-air down to himself while in full stride and on a partial breakaway (but didn't score), then on the same shift batting a puck away from danger in his own crease, again out of mid-air.

His best burst of speed on the night came on a second period back-check from centre where he made up several steps and broke up a breakaway chance with a well-timed slash at the puck.

McDavid made a nice shot block at the mid-point of the third period with his team leading by goal, a block that resulted in a rush up ice the other way, and the 4-2 goal as McDavid went off for a change.

The Bears drew within one in the third, but on the next shift McDavid burst through the middle of the ice creating a 2-on-1 and fed Cole Sanford for his third assist of the night. McDavid nearly scored himself before the end of that same shift. His line got one more on their next shift to seal the win.

TSN Assessment

Solid performance from McDavid in front of his first large Edmonton crowd (14,434). Showed superior speed and puck handling as expected, and was very strong on the half wall controlling the power play. Showed a good defensive conscience back checking hard and coming down deep in his own zone to help out. Even on shifts where he was relatively quiet, still made very few mistakes with the puck. The only critique would be shift length, as several times he stayed out for several shifts pushing a minute or more - common for young players coming out of junior. A three-point night gives him five (1G, 4A) in his two Oiler performances.