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CTV News
19 hours ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Once Upon a Time in Edmonton: The Connor McDavid draft
Connor McDavid, left, chats with Craig MacTavish after being chosen first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL hockey draft, Friday, June 26, 2015, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) On the 10-year anniversary of his draft this edition of Once Upon a Time in Edmonton remembers the excitement around Connor McDavid and the hope he brought to Oilers fans. With a contract extension possibly days away, fans are once again holding their breath over McDavid and his place with the Edmonton Oilers. Lucky draw You could call it luck, fate or fluke. If you don't root for the Oilers you probably call it something else. Whether it was a perfect alignment of the stars or a cruel joke, April 18, 2015, was a day to remember. 'The first overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft belongs to the Edmonton Oilers.' It was a proclamation heard around the hockey world, and if you were in the vicinity of Edmonton you probably heard the entire city gasp at the exact same time. Edmonton Oilers fans celebrate McDavid lottery win April 2015, fans watching the draft lottery in an Edmonton bar. (CTV News Edmonton) The Oilers had just won what some were calling the 'Connor McDavid lottery.' 'This is everything to us' Something changed for fans that day. After years of hope turned into disappointment and in the midst of what has been dubbed 'the Decade of Darkness,' the possibility of Connor McDavid becoming an Edmonton Oiler was enough to refuel the dreams of beleaguered fans. 'We were over the moon, jumping up and down yelling, hollering,' said Gwen Lawrence, a season ticket holder in 2015. And even though Oilers management refused to confirm that McDavid would be their pick, the faithful were convinced. Fans immediately started ordering McDavid jerseys, months before the June draft. McDavid fans in Florida June 2015, a group of Oilers fans travelled to Florida for the NHL draft. (Evan Klippenstein/CTV News Edmonton) McDavid fans in Florida. June 2015, a group of Oilers fans travelled to Florida for the NHL draft. (Evan Klippenstein/CTV News Edmonton) A group of self-proclaimed 'hard core McDavid fans' even travelled to Florida for the draft. The friends, decked out in Oilers gear, were there to witness a historic event. 'This is everything to us…for me, the last eight years are all forgiven just for McDavid,' one said. 'I think he's got a good heart, I think he's got a great attitude, and the fact that he wants to play for Edmonton is huge,' said another. 'It could have been in Alaska and we would have made the trek, as soon as that gold ticket was drawn we jumped up and made our plans,' a third friend exclaimed. Meanwhile, back in Edmonton, someone had altered the Connors Road sign to read CONNOR MCDAVID. Connor McDavid sign June 2015, The Connors Road sign was altered to read CONNOR MCDAVID. (CTV News Edmonton) Then mayor Don Iveson couldn't contain his laughter when he was shown a picture. Still unofficially claimed by the Oilers organization, McDavid called the sign 'flattering' and said 'if it is Edmonton I appreciate it very much, the support and the welcome.' The calm before the draft The day before the NHL draft was to take place, the top prospects put on a skills clinic for some local hockey players in Florida. The lucky kids were excited to meet the soon-to-be NHL stars. Ian, sporting a number 10 on his jersey, said, 'It was really cool because I've always dreamed of meeting these players and now I have.' Blake Andreoni agreed: 'It was such a cool experience to be skating with the top prospects. It was a lot of fun.' After the clinic McDavid took questions from reporters. He talked about the importance of being a role model and the excitement of being at the draft. Cool and collected as always, when asked about pressure and nerves, the young McDavid assured reporters that he was getting enough rest. 'The beds are so comfy at the hotel, I think I'll be fine,' he said with a grin. He was almost nonchalant about what was about to happen. 'All you gotta do is go there, sit, wait until your name is called.' 'From the Erie Otters, Connor McDavid' And then it was time. NHL teams, current and former hockey stars, media and, of course, the draft class of 2015 gathered on the evening of June 26. Seated between his mom and dad, the TV cameras caught a nervous McDavid whisper to them, 'I think I'm gonna puke.' 'The Edmonton Oilers select with their first pick, from the Erie Otters, Connor McDavid.' Draft party at Rexall Place June 2015, fans celebrate at Recall Place when Connor McDavid is drafted by the Oilers. (CTV News Edmonton) Amongst the cheers and streamers, the goal horn went off at a packed Rexall Place. It was real, Connor McDavid was an Edmonton Oiler. 'Being here was just unbelievable, it was amazing,' said one fan after the watch party. Minutes after he was drafted McDavid was all smiles when he spoke to the media. 'To be honest I think it was even better than I was expecting,' he said. Wearing the Oilers jersey he was presented on stage, already sporting his number 97, McDavid expressed how special the moment was. 'Now that it's finally happened and I'm an Edmonton Oiler, I couldn't be more proud.' The next day in Edmonton, stores began unpacking their McDavid merchandise. But that was just the beginning. Oilers fans outside Rexall place 2015, fans line up to watch Oilers prospects camp. (CTV News Edmonton) Rejuvenated with hope, Oilers nation flocked to pre-season camps and practices to get a look at their new star. There were lineups outside Rexall Place to get a first glance at the top prospect. Oilers fans inside Rexall Place 2015, fans watching Oilers prospects camp. (CTV News Edmonton) And when McDavid skated out onto the ice for the first time, the packed house let out a cheer. It was more of the same weeks later at the Oilers first practice. A rink filled to the brim with fans watching the young hero take his first strides with their beloved team. Oilers fans have loved him from the start and 10 years later are still enthralled by his jaw-dropping skills on the ice, but also by his kind heart off the ice. Photo of McDavid with fans. 2017, McDavid poses with fans at the Edmonton International Airport. Like when he posed for the famously awkward 'death grip' photo with the Valerianos at the Edmonton International Airport. Or the moments he spent with his biggest fan, Ben Stelter, helping him skate and shoot at Oilers practice or whispering to him at centre ice before puck drop. 'Ben meant so much to myself and my teammates,' McDavid said, remembering the brave boy after he died of cancer. Another decade? Now team captain, Connor McDavid's resume of accomplishments could fill a book. But he has yet to capture the biggest prize. Days after what he called an 'incredibly disappointing' end to the season McDavid was asked about his looming contract extension. He told reporters 'There's no rush' and that he'll 'take some time to regroup' before making any decisions. 'It's all about winning and we won't be satisfied until that's done,' so with the Stanley Cup still on everyone's mind, Oilers fans are left to wonder if their captain still sees Edmonton as the place he can win it. And his message to those fans? 'Keep being patient and keep believing … when that moment comes it will be worth the wait.'
National Post
22-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
How does Craig MacTavish, ex-Oilers coach and an ace penalty-killer, see Game 1 collapse?
Fitting that the Edmonton Oilers' media availability Thursday was at the Dallas dining salon Rotisserie 2 … feature item on the menu, roasted penalty kill. Article content Article content Yeah, food for thought — how the Oilers found themselves on a spit in Game 1. Article content On the mourning after the day before, we're left to digest how they could get burned for three Stars PP goals on three shots in the third period, over a span of just under six minutes, to choke on a 6-3 loss after thoroughly dominating Dallas 5-on-5 for the first 40 minutes. Article content The Oilers, after going 11 straight games without giving up a power-play goal in last spring's playoff run — Vancouver's Elias Lindholm, 17:35 of Period 2 in Game 3 in the second round to Florida's Evan Rodrigues, 12:26 of Period 3 in Game 2 in the finals — have now given up 14 goals on 37 tries over 12 games this year Article content 'Wow that's good playing,' laughed Craig MacTavish, the former Oiler head coach and ace NHL penalty-killer, who has seen the foibles of the penalty kill from both sides. Article content 'Somebody told me years ago … the greatest comment I've heard in the game, that you're never as good as you think you are and you're never as bad as you think you are. It's very true.' Article content 'Last year, they stayed on a roll, now they're on a roll the other way and have to get off it. You're torn between a tactical adjustment and staying with what you've done in the past and hope they don't find those little holes that they found in Game 1,' said MacTavish. Article content Last year, the Oilers were so suffocatingly good killing penalties, it didn't matter that they took 70 over their 25 games. They killed off 66 of them. They demoralized Los Angeles, Dallas and Florida, with only Vancouver breaking through with three in their series. This spring, the Oilers are suffering. Article content Article content 'I remember when I was coaching, I would be saying, 'Stay out of the box.' Every time I addressed it, we would take a bunch. Finally, I stopped mentioning it. It was counterproductive,' said MacTavish, who got the Oilers to Game 7 of the finals in 2006 against Carolina. Article content MacTavish absolutely knows that people on the penalty kill are 'really subjected to the bounce and the puck luck … nobody kills at the rate the Oilers did last year where they were obviously fortunate in the bounces and this year it's the opposite.' Article content 'For me, there was nothing really technically that the Oilers did wrong in defending. Wasn't like they didn't win draws or couldn't get the puck out. When they analyze it today, I don't think there's too many tactical adjustments to make with the exception of getting Skinner to see it better.' Article content 'They miss (Mattias) Ekholm on the penalty kill. He's one of the best in the league, if not at the top,' said MacTavish. Article content Yes we know your goalie has to be your best penalty-killer, so you can probably dig in on Stuart Skinner, who has now given up eight power-play goals on 23 power-play shots in his four losses this playoff season, with two in L.A. in Round 1, one in Edmonton to the Golden Knights, one now in Dallas to the Stars.
New York Times
12-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Edmonton Oilers team-building: Who should receive credit for current roster?
The Edmonton Oilers we see on the ice today had their genesis in early January 2010. The team was drowning in losses (0-10-2 that month) and the future looked hopeless. Legend has it that owner Daryl Katz was the first person to mention the word rebuild, and from that moment, it became the mission statement of the organization. The team had just delivered an attempt at a rebuild (2007-09); it was responsible for the ghastly January 2010 record that had the team in turmoil. No matter. The die was cast and management began drafting kids 10 at a time each summer, beginning in 2010. Advertisement Winning the Connor McDavid lottery in 2015 reset the priorities and trading draft picks became vogue for team managers. From that day to this, the organization has experienced six general managers, five head coaches and three scouting directors. The Oilers are a strong Stanley Cup contender. If the team wins it all, who should get credit? If the team craters, who should get the blame? Here's a look. There are eight players who were drafted by the Oilers and are either on the roster or practising with the club. Credit is given to the general manager and scouting director at the time of the draft, and to the first coach each individual player debuted with at the NHL level: The general manager who stands out for positive credit here is Craig MacTavish. He was GM for just two drafts, landing Darnell Nurse and Leon Draisaitl without a No. 1 overall selection. Peter Chiarelli earns some points for identifying Evan Bouchard amid some impressive prospects in 2018's top 10. Among coaches, he isn't mentioned here but many of these players (specifically Bouchard and Stuart Skinner) spiked as players once Jay Woodcroft arrived. Among the coaches who have been at the helm since 2015, it is Woodcroft who has done the most to help develop NHL talent. Stu MacGregor and Bob Green are the scouting directors who should get credit for helping the current team. MacGregor helped deliver Nurse and McDavid, while Green was part of the group that found Bouchard and Skinner. Overall, current management and coaching didn't have an impact on the 2025 playoff roster via the draft. Those players who will hit the NHL from scouting director Rick Pracey's drafts are either matriculating to pro hockey or have not yet been drafted. I've included players acquired by trade and then signed as free agents in this category. Ken Holland was more likely to add via free agency in July and then use the trade option at the deadline. Stan Bowman always has his phone on: Holland made the best trade in years by an Oilers general manager when securing Mattias Ekholm from the Nashville Predators in February 2023. Among the other Holland deals, I'd rate the Brett Kulak acquisition as being the next best on the list. Jeff Jackson was active in a very small window of opportunity as acting GM. His procurement of Matt Savoie gave Edmonton the No. 1 prospect in the system and a value contract for years to come. Advertisement Bowman may be the most active trading general manager since Glen Sather. His first 10 months in the job were busy, and he has impacted the roster in important areas. Vasily Podkolzin and Jake Walman have been especially strong for the Oilers since their arrivals. The major item surrounding trades in the Oilers organization is that they are more in style (so far) with this management group than we've seen in ages. The club has been spending money on July 1 free agency for years, and will likely be active this summer, too. Adding via trade can be an effective tool, as seen with the late summer additions of Podkolzin and Ty Emberson after St. Louis' successful offer sheets to Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. For the length of his career as an NHL general manager (so far), Holland showed an extreme preference for free-agent signings. He spent a lot of money, overpaid several times, but landed the best NHL free agent in Oilers history the day Zach Hyman signed with the team. Holland was active in procurement at the NHL level, but also signed players like Noah Philp and James Hamblin as amateurs. His use of the minor-league system was unusual, and Edmonton was not a big player in free agency outside of veterans on July 1. Holland built his teams via free agency and there are several important pieces (Hyman, but also Evander Kane, Calvin Pickard, Corey Perry, Connor Brown) pushing for the Stanley Cup who were signed by the former general manager. Jackson was very active in his one July 1 signing opportunity, adding veteran wingers at a rapid clip. Most believe the money was not well spent (offer sheets by Blues followed and had a massive impact on the roster) but the complete story of the season is not yet written. Bowman has been working around the edges of the roster all winter, and that includes players like Kasper Kapanen (waivers) and Travis Dermott (free-agent signing, but not with the club at this time). We won't know until mid-July, but it's a good guess that the Oilers' summer will not revolve around July 1 free agency as it has in the past. Advertisement From the coaching side, the Oilers benefited heavily from Woodcroft's patient development style. Bouchard and Skinner specifically spiked under his guidance, and that benefits Knoblauch and his staff today. Chiarelli's track record with the Oilers is a mixed bag, but all of McDavid, Skinner and Bouchard came to the organization via his draft team. No extra credit for McDavid but Skinner was a third-round selection and there were many options when the team chose Bouchard. Chiarelli's trade record was decidedly downbeat, but he was a helluva judge of amateur talent. Holland gets plenty of credit for this roster, including the top trade addition (Ekholm) and free-agent signing (Hyman). Give MacTavish some credit for the Nurse and Draisaitl draft day additions, too. Bowman earns a mention for several astute additions. They include Podkolzin, Walman, Emberson and Trent Frederic. At this point, the answer is Holland. This time next year, it might be Bowman. Especially if he can find a solution to the ongoing goaltending issues. For fans, looking back is a reminder of just how much talent was wasted on the way. For management, they can be secure in the knowledge that a Stanley Cup victory will go a long way to repaying fans for the sins of the past.
