Connor McDavid played through ankle fracture, concerned with direction of Oilers after first-round elimination: ‘The organization as a whole has taken a step back’
RMNB • • sports
Key Points:
- Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid expressed frustration after the team was eliminated in the first round of the 2025-26 playoffs by the Anaheim Ducks, ending their streak of Stanley Cup Final appearances.
- Both McDavid and teammate Leon Draisaitl acknowledged the team’s regression this season, with Draisaitl emphasizing the need for improvement and McDavid calling the team "average" despite high expectations.
- McDavid played through a foot/ankle fracture sustained in Game 2, which affected his performance during the series where he scored only one goal and finished with a minus-8 rating.
- Despite the disappointing season, McDavid reaffirmed his commitment to the Oilers, having recently signed a two-year, $25 million extension, and stressed his desire to win in Edmonton.
- The Oilers face offseason challenges with limited salary cap space, numerous free agents including key players, and a lack of high draft picks to facilitate trades, complicating their efforts to improve the roster.
