[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Yeah it is ridiculous how much ice time they are giving McDavid.

A top defenceman playing close to 30 minutes is no big deal. They get shifts in the offensive zone where little skating is required and can also sit back to conserve energy at times without hurting the team. A centre on the other hand is the most demanding position on the team. You are taking faceoffs, covering the other centre, supporting the wingers on the forecheck, supporting the defence on the backcheck, and generally just doing a lot of skating all over the rink. A centre cannot just relax on some of their shifts to conserve energy without consequences.

Double shifting McDavid may be keeping the Oilers heads above water and save McLellan's job for now but it is not sustainable long term.

Well, not always...