Connor McDavid calls Edmonton Oilers ‘average’ after playoff exit to Ducks
Star centre Connor McDavid admitted the Edmonton Oilers were an “average team” after they were eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup play-offs by the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.
The Oilers fell to a 5-2 defeat in game six, ending their post-season ambitions at the earliest hurdle for the first time since 2021.
It marks a sharp decline for a franchise that reached the Stanley Cup Final in both 2024 and 2025, losing on both occasions to the Florida Panthers.
General manager Stan Bowman oversaw a roster that recorded its lowest regular-season points percentage in six years.
Injury woes hamper post-season hopes
Speculation regarding the fitness of the six-time NHL scoring leader circulated throughout the series.
The 29-year-old managed just one goal and six points across the matchup, looking visibly short of his usual dominant standards.
During the decisive game six loss, the Oilers captain failed to register a single point and finished with a minus-three rating.
“It was tough. We were an average team all year,” said McDavid.
“An average team with high expectations. You’re going to be disappointed.”
The Canadian superstar acknowledged that the locker room was dealing with significant fitness issues at a crucial time.
“Too hurt, too soon. The first round is always tough,” he added.
“It’s always chaotic, and it’s tough to play through things so early on as many guys did in here. That being said, it’s not an excuse, either.”
German forward Leon Draisaitl confirmed that Edmonton’s top three centres were all playing through injuries.
“At the end of the day, you’ve got to find ways to win games. Injuries? Yeah, they suck, and it hit us at a bad time,” Draisaitl explained.
Early exit sparks future speculation
The premature elimination has immediately reignited conversations surrounding the long-term future of the franchise’s marquee player.
The highly sought-after forward signed a two-year contract extension last October, keeping him under team control until the summer of 2028.
At the time, he cited a desire to chase a championship with the current core group in Alberta.
However, they faced a revitalised Anaheim squad making their first play-off appearance since 2018 under new head coach Joel Quenneville.
The high-scoring Californian outfit quickly established a 3-1 series lead before ultimately closing out the matchup in six games.