Edmonton is No Good XII: "I Dunno.. it's Just Not Good."

[TheIronMaiden]

Last year the Oilers sat McDavid and Draistl a week or so to rest them before the playoffs. It was a huge part of their success. It'll be interesting to see if they are able to do the same this year.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

McDavid is still the best. He’s willed that Oiler team to the finals the last two years, let’s not forget.

He’s far from a perfect two way player, but whatever warts he’s got, his attributes more than make up for it.

How is he the best compared to Kucherov? Who also has been to the finals a few times, except he's actually won the Cup.

I'd also argue that the Oilers' path to the cup the last couple years was easier than most teams get.

What are the objective attributes that make McDavid the best player in the world? Points? No, he's behind Kucherov. PPG? No, same. PP/60? No, same. 200 foot game? Haha, no. Results? Behind Kucherov and Mackinnon and Barkov.

[looooob]

some chatter he may not be available today? (97)

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Last year the Oilers sat McDavid and Draistl a week or so to rest them before the playoffs. It was a huge part of their success. It'll be interesting to see if they are able to do the same this year.

Well, they are sitting Draisaitl for the rest of the season.

[Sylvanfan]

Franky was having a heated argument with well known Edmonton apologist Kevin Karius this morning. Karius was trying to make every excuse in he book for McDavid not trying to get his coach axed, and Frank would have none of it. I imagine Seravalli managed to finally get himself banned from Edmonton over this. Likely by choice too.

The Oilers and their media who value loyalty over competence sure remind me of another organization run by some crazy old guy who's obsessed with Orange.

[Sol]

Please don't make me pick a side between Edmonton and Frank. haha

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

https://twitter.com/user/status/2036262695381418220

Not liking management and now media piling on....

He'll be requesting a trade after a first round exit (if they make the playoffs).

[Tbull8]

Please share the video!

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by looooob

some chatter he may not be available today? (97)

Maybe Knob benched him for being insubordinate.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

How is he the best compared to Kucherov? Who also has been to the finals a few times, except he's actually won the Cup.

I'd also argue that the Oilers' path to the cup the last couple years was easier than most teams get.

What are the objective attributes that make McDavid the best player in the world? Points? No, he's behind Kucherov. PPG? No, same. PP/60? No, same. 200 foot game? Haha, no. Results? Behind Kucherov and Mackinnon and Barkov.

I always go back to...what would happen if you removed both of these players from their respective teams? What is Edmonton without McDavid? What about Tampa without Kucherov?

McDavid is everything to the Oilers...essentially is their system. His zone entries are elite, GF% craters when he's not on the ice. And he's not just the MVP of a meh team, he's led that flawed team to back-to-back finals. You can debate their path to the finals, I guess. Round one against LA has been a doormat, but Vegas and Dallas have been conference heavyweights. I thought Edmonton earned their finals appearance last year, though I've always felt like Colorado would be their strongest competition.

And then you have international competition, which for Kucherov we don't have a recent eye test to be fair, but McDavid vs Mackinnon at the Olympics wasn't close IMO. I think also how Mackinnon lauds McDavid any chance he gets, he knows who the best is.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Well, they are sitting Draisaitl for the rest of the season.

Which means they don't have the luxury of resting McDavid as every game down to the wire is likely going to matter for their playoff standing.

[AFireInside]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

I always go back to...what would happen if you removed both of these players from their respective teams? What is Edmonton without McDavid? What about Tampa without Kucherov?

McDavid is everything to the Oilers...essentially is their system. Leads the league in even strength points/60, zone entries, GF% craters when he's not on the ice. And he's not just the MVP of a meh team, he's led that flawed team to back-to-back finals. You can debate their path to the finals, I guess. Round one against LA has been a doormat, but Vegas and Dallas have been conference heavyweights. I thought Edmonton earned their finals appearance last year, though I've always felt like Colorado would be their strongest competition.

And then you have international competition, which for Kucherov we don't have a recent eye test to be fair, but McDavid vs Mackinnon at the Olympics wasn't close IMO. I think also how Mackinnon lauds McDavid any chance he gets, he knows who the best is.

MacKinnon was injured and sick during the Olympics hardly a great comparison. He was throwing up on the bench.

In 2024 McDavid got basically all of his points in 2 games in the finals. He had no points in the first 2 or last 2 games, yet the Oilers made it to game 7. He definitely didn't carry the team during that series. Four of his points in that series came after game 5 was already 3 - 1 for Edmonton, which ended up being an 8 - 1 blowout.

McDavid could easily sacrifice 10 points a year, be a better 2 way player and there wouldn't be much discussion. He won't. He's amazing player, no one is saying he isn't. I'd definitely take Barkov, MacKinnon, Makar and maybe Celebrini and Kucherov over McDavid.

Watching him yell at the bench when he makes selfish plays like he did against Tampa on their short handed goal the other night would make me crazy.

[GFG#1]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Which means they don't have the luxury of resting McDavid as every game down to the wire is likely going to matter for their playoff standing.

Not to mention without his buddy Draisitle his points are tailing off, he is going to need to play all games to try and get his individual awards.

[CedarMeter]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

Please share the video!

Starts at 1:24

https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1nxnRYokEZjxO

[kevman]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

McDavid is everything to the Oilers...essentially is their system. Leads the league in even strength points/60, zone entries, GF% craters when he's not on the ice. .

He's 39th in 5 on 5 points per 60 at 2.36 points/60. Kucherov is 1st at 4.12.

Kucherov almost produces double what McDavid does when it's 5 on 5.
link - for players that have played at least 300 minutes

McDavid moves up to 11th in points/60 in all even strengths situations with 3.06 points/60. Kucherov is still 1st at 4.85. So adding 4 on 4 and 3 on 3 hockey brings McDavid close to the top 10 point producers at even strength in the league.

Finally, and just for fun, McDavid moves into 3rd in points/60 in all situations with 4.25 points/60. Kucherov is 1st at 5.4 points/60. Even with McDavid PP points, Kucherov still scores more than a point/60 more than McDavid.

[troutman]

McDavid also plays close to 2 minutes on PPs, even in garbage time.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

I always go back to...what would happen if you removed both of these players from their respective teams? What is Edmonton without McDavid? What about Tampa without Kucherov?

McDavid is everything to the Oilers...essentially is their system. Leads the league in even strength points/60, zone entries, GF% craters when he's not on the ice. And he's not just the MVP of a meh team, he's led that flawed team to back-to-back finals. You can debate their path to the finals, I guess. Round one against LA has been a doormat, but Vegas and Dallas have been conference heavyweights. I thought Edmonton earned their finals appearance last year, though I've always felt like Colorado would be their strongest competition.

And then you have international competition, which for Kucherov we don't have a recent eye test to be fair, but McDavid vs Mackinnon at the Olympics wasn't close IMO. I think also how Mackinnon lauds McDavid any chance he gets, he knows who the best is.

See, you are basing all this off of feelings and not stats. Fair enough, but look at TB when Kucherov was out all year. They inch into the POs, he comes back, and they win the cup. Look at Florida with and without Barkov.

The fact McDavid is the very best on a bad team doesn't mean that much to me. And it's not that bad of a team player wise anyway. They do have Draisaitl, Hyman, RNH. They have Bouchard and Ekholm.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by kevman

He's 39th in 5 on 5 points per 60 at 2.36 points/60. Kucherov is 1st at 4.12.

Kucherov almost produces double what McDavid does when it's 5 on 5.
link - for players that have played at least 300 minutes

McDavid moves up to 11th in points/60 in all even strengths situations with 3.06 points/60. Kucherov is still 1st at 4.85. So adding 4 on 4 and 3 on 3 hockey brings McDavid close to the top 10 point producers at even strength in the league.

Finally, and just for fun, McDavid moves into 3rd in points/60 in all situations with 4.25 points/60. Kucherov is 1st at 5.4 points/60. Even with McDavid PP points, Kucherov still scores more than a point/60 more than McDavid.

Yup, and to be fair and not base it off one season I looked back 3,4 and 5 seasons and the results are the same. McDavid isn't ahead in PPG or PP/60 (any situations).

[looooob]

Originally Posted by kevman

He's 39th in 5 on 5 points per 60 at 2.36 points/60. Kucherov is 1st at 4.12.

Kucherov almost produces double what McDavid does when it's 5 on 5.
link - for players that have played at least 300 minutes

McDavid moves up to 11th in points/60 in all even strengths situations with 3.06 points/60. Kucherov is still 1st at 4.85. So adding 4 on 4 and 3 on 3 hockey brings McDavid close to the top 10 point producers at even strength in the league.

Finally, and just for fun, McDavid moves into 3rd in points/60 in all situations with 4.25 points/60. Kucherov is 1st at 5.4 points/60. Even with McDavid PP points, Kucherov still scores more than a point/60 more than McDavid.

wildly he's behind Ryan McLeod and Arvidsson in assists/60 minutes

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by kevman

He's 39th in 5 on 5 points per 60 at 2.36 points/60. Kucherov is 1st at 4.12.

Kucherov almost produces double what McDavid does when it's 5 on 5.
link - for players that have played at least 300 minutes

McDavid moves up to 11th in points/60 in all even strengths situations with 3.06 points/60. Kucherov is still 1st at 4.85. So adding 4 on 4 and 3 on 3 hockey brings McDavid close to the top 10 point producers at even strength in the league.

Finally, and just for fun, McDavid moves into 3rd in points/60 in all situations with 4.25 points/60. Kucherov is 1st at 5.4 points/60. Even with McDavid PP points, Kucherov still scores more than a point/60 more than McDavid.

Good gravy. The last time I'll use ChatGPT for hockey research.

I stand by the points that McDavid is the best, but not on the strength of points/60, clearly.

Points per game, playoff points per game, career numbers certainly lean McDavid's way. Not to mention playing Center vs wing.

But yes, good call out. I'll edit my OP.