McDavid's ridiculous time on ice stats reflects a very worrisome Oilers' offence

BarDown Staff

Connor McDavid , (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Edmonton Oilers’ fans were hoping that this year would bring better results than last year’s disappointing season – a season in which superstar young gun Connor McDavid took home the Art Ross Trophy for most points in the NHL, but the Oilers still missed playoffs.

Seven games into the season, Oilers fans are starting to wonder if this year will be another problematic one for their sanity. McDavid is continuing to produce, racking up nearly two points per game on average (13 points in seven games), but the rest of Edmonton continues to struggle. In fact, they’ve only scored five goals in which McDavid hasn’t been credited with a point.

That must be concerning for Oilers fans, but if they take a look at the amount Edmonton is using McDavid they would likely feel a little worse.

Getting back to McDavid's ice time. He played 28:26 total, including 11:34 in third period (4:07 on PP in that period).
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) October 24, 2018

Yes, we are aware the game went to overtime, extending the game. Instead of 60 minutes, this particular contest lasted for 62:12 before Sidney Crosby potted his second of the game, the game winner. That contributed a little bit to McDavid’s career high, but it is no excuse for the overuse of a superstar.

McDavid is averaging 24:34 of ice time, 18th most in the league. Of the top 35 time on ice averages, McDavid represents the only forward (With three pairings as opposed to four lines, and generally less immediate energy expended in a minute long shift, defenders almost always play more than forwards). The next highest forward total is McDavid’s line mate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (23:06) at 38th overall. The next highest non-Oiler forward’s total is Anze Kopitar (22:59) at 39th.

It's early in season, but have top two forwards in terms of average ice time in the NHL

McDavid is averaging 24:34 per game.
Nugent-Hopkins is averaging 23:06.

Kopitar is third at 22:59.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) October 24, 2018

While it’s impressive that McDavid is able to shoulder so much ice time, it must be concerning to Oilers’ fans. Not only does it show just how much McDavid is leaned on, it also opens up a higher possibility to injury, or even just general burn out. It’s hard to imagine a forward sustaining that kind of workload, particularly from the centre position, and still continue to produce as the season rolls along.

Something’s got to give in Edmonton, and we just hope that it’s not McDavid’s (or Nugent-Hopkins’) well-being.

(H/T Tom Gulitti)