NHL insider Elliotte Friedman Shares Crucial Updates on Connor McDavid's Injury

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Chris Gerics
October 30, 2024 (12:52)

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Connor McDavid's injury has caused a lot of concern for the Edmonton Oilers, and now NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman has provided an update on the superstar's timeline.

During Edmonton's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday , Oilers superstar Connor McDavid was tripped up awkwardly as he headed into the defensive zone and took a tumble into the boards. It was a nasty-looking fall and it led to McDavid leaving the game and Edmonton being completely deflated.

There was a lot of concern for a long-term injury and McDavid was to be evaluated by Edmonton's medical staff as well as his own trainer for further testing to see the severity of the injury. Now, we have an update.

Per Elliotte Friedman on X, Connor McDavid avoided a 'worst-case scenario' situation and is going to be out for only a little bit of time, though that timeframe is currently undetermined:

Friedman wasn't the only NHL Insider to give an estimate of McDavid's absence, as Frank Seravalli recently on Daily Faceoff Live that McDavid's injury could follow the same timeline as Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov's; who missed action since Oct. 10.

Edmonton announced the official timeline on Wednesday regarding McDavid's injury, stating their superstar will be out of action for the next two to three weeks:

The reaction to McDavid's quick removal from the game seemed to strike a nerve with long-time Edmonton Oiler Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who criticized his team after the game for not stepping up in McDavid's absence, and the team needs to do more going forward and to stop essentially relying on McDavid for everything.

McDavid's absence is a crushing blow to Edmonton's regular season and especially their playoff hopes. While McDavid is sure to return, this lower-body injury could be a factor going forward and if the lightning-fast McDavid loses even a fraction of speed; it could be game-changing. Already on pace to have another 120+ point season, McDavid and the Oilers should be sure to take as much time as needed to ensure he's at 100%.

For now, the responsibility sits on the shoulders of Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Jeff Skinner, Connor Brown, and Corey Perry to lead Edmonton in McDavid's absence. Edmonton cannot afford a setback of this nature, and the team needs to work tenfold to do what McDavid does. They've shown they're capable, but are they too morally defeated without their captain to succeed?