EDMONTON, Alberta — Connor McDavid still barely speaks above a whisper, but the Edmonton Oilers’ teenage captain’s play speaks volumes. Sixty-four games into his NHL career, McDavid already is considered one of the best players in the world, if not the best. The No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft has eight goals and 14 assists in just 19 games, after posting 48 points in 45 games a year ago.
And the Blackhawks finally will get their first look at the so-called Next One on Monday night at the sparkling new Rogers Place in downtown Edmonton. McDavid — who had a hat trick in his last game to bust out of a 10-game goal drought — missed both games against the Hawks last season with a broken clavicle
“It’ll be a good test for us, knowing he’s a special player,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “The speed is what jumps out at you. When he has the puck, he does a lot of things with it you have to be aware of. We’re looking forward to getting the chance to be in this nice building and getting to see first-hand, knowing he’s coming off a big game.”
For McDavid — who’s playing on a line with 18-year-old Jesse Puljujarvi and former Bruins and Kings forward Milan Lucic — it’s a chance to match up against another top pick who helped turn around a moribund franchise, Patrick Kane.
“It would obviously be very special to be able to do some of the things that he’s done,” McDavid said. “He’s had an amazing career and he’s still so young. He’s definitely a guy that you like to watch, just because of what he can do on the ice. He’s one of those guys that’s exciting to watch and makes something happen almost every time he’s on the ice. It’s something to look out for us. Obviously we have to be aware of who the leading scorer last year was. It’s definitely a good test for us defensively, as well, matching up against a guy like him.”
The Oilers are hoping for the sort of franchise resurgence the Hawks enjoyed in the late 2000s. With the new arena and a tie for first place in the weak Pacific Division, the Oilers appear to be on their way. But, as Edmonton coach Todd McLellan noted, the Hawks have set the bar awfully high.
“They’re driven by players that are wearing three Stanley Cup rings,” McLellan said. That’s what drives their team, including the coaching staff.”
NOTES: Gustav Forsling and Andrew Desjardins are expected to be back in the lineup Monday night, with Michal Rozsival, Dennis Rasmussen and Jordin Tootoo likely healthy scratches. Corey Crawford will start for the Hawks.
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