Jets fans can expect to be entertained by McDavid’s skill level

Advertisement

Advertise with us

He’s a maestro with the puck on his stick and has an assassin’s finish around the net.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$1 per week for 24 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.75/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Winnipeg Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*$1 will be added to your next bill. After your 4 weeks access is complete your rate will increase by $0.00 a X percent off the regular rate.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/03/2016 (3496 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

He’s a maestro with the puck on his stick and has an assassin’s finish around the net.

And yet for as good as Connor McDavid has been in his rookie season — and he’s been spectacular — he is now pointless in two career games against the Winnipeg Jets. But even the Jets know that’s a stat that won’t last for long.

McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers gifted centre, entered Sunday’s game on a four-game point streak and with five multi-point efforts since the NHL All-Star break. But while he fired five shots on goal, he wasn’t able to beat Ondrej Pavelec.

“Our goalie played a factor in that,” said Jets coach Paul Maurice when asked for a key in stopping the young phenom. “He spent a lot of time against Mark Scheifele who’s one of a handful of guys on our team that can skate with him. You have to have somebody in the middle of the ice that can pick him up coming out of his end. You see it while it’s happening in the game and we get the chance to watch it back on video… he had five shots on goal.

“He’s going to have nights where they all go in. He had two or three passes tonight that, at speed, are so hard to make. He’s still a young man but a brilliant talent.”

Winnipeg hockey fans have had the chance to see any number of generational hockey over the years, from the days of the Hot Line in the World Hockey Association, to the likes of Hawerchuk, Gretzky, Lemieux and Selanne through the Jets 1.0 era.

And while that term — ‘generational player’ — gets tossed around too often these days, it certainly fits when the discussion turns to McDavid, who made his only appearance at MTS Centre Sunday.

Just how good is this kid? Well, hockey coaches often pump the brakes on heaping too much praise on rookies. And then there was Oilers head coach Todd McLellan after Sunday morning’s game-day skate, when asked what has been like watching his young phenom this season.

“Exciting. Eventful… you hold your breath when he gets the puck and goes,” McLellan said. “Disappointing with the injury (he missed 37 games with a broken collarbone), frustrating not having him part of the group, for us and for him. But since he’s been back he’s settled in really well.

“I’ve often used the word ‘catalyst.’ He’s a real catalyst for our team right now. He drives our team with speed and creativity. When the fans come out to watch him play, they may be cheering for their own team, which they should be, but they’re certainly entertained by his skill level.”

McDavid, selected first overall last June by the Oilers, just turned 19 in January but is already chewing up the NHL. Even with Sunday’s goose-egg, has still 13 goals and 34 points in 31 games. His most dangerous skill, among the many he possesses, is the ability to be creative and dynamic with the puck while working at full speed.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) during the pre-game skate at MTS Centre this morning.
MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) during the pre-game skate at MTS Centre this morning.

McDavid, who looks like a high-school freshman, is handling everything about his first year as a pro like a grizzled veteran.

“I really had no expectations coming into the year,” he said Sunday. “I certainly didn’t know what to expect because I hadn’t really experienced an NHL game or an NHL season so it’s pretty hard to know how you are going to do when you have no idea what you are going into.

“Being around the guys has been a lot of fun. It’s such a different lifestyle from junior. It’s been cool to get to know the guys and hang around them.”

 

wfpvideo:113909183:wfpvideo
History

Updated on Sunday, March 6, 2016 10:26 PM CST: Updates with writethru

Report Error Submit a Tip

Winnipeg Jets

LOAD MORE