While stating there have been no major setbacks, Connor McDavid's agent is saying the Oilers captain is not a lock to be in the lineup when the NHL season starts. Speaking with Sportsnet, Jeff Jackson said the PCL tear was a serious injury, and McDavid is doing all he can to be ready for opening night.
“For a guy like him, who relies so much on his skating his edgework, cutting back … You don't want to have anything go wrong when you're rehabbing. So it's been very meticulous, very carefully orchestrated, the progression. But he's doing really well," Jackson said. "On Sept. 3, you can't say whether he's ready or not to start the season. He has another month before the season starts, and he's in very good shape. No one is saying (he will be delayed) until November or December. He's done extremely well so far, and everyone is happy with his progression.”
Jackson adds any decision made on McDavid's timeline for a return won't be made by just one person, saying it will be up to Edmonton's training and medical staff, as well as a team of professionals he, Jackson, put together himself. Meanwhile, Oilers GM Ken Holland told Sportsnet he's staying as up-to-date on the situation as he can.
“I've been updated once a week, sometimes twice, with videos. And I've (gone to Toronto) to see Connor three times. Decisions will be made on the conservative side,” said Holland. "Opening night is the goal for everybody. But the bigger priority is that we're doing what is right for Connor in the long-term.”
McDavid is expected to attend and skate at Edmonton's training camp, which opens next week. Whether he takes part in any preseason games remains to be seen.
A report in the Toronto Sun just over a week ago claimed McDavid's knee rehab was not going as well as the star player was stating publicly, adding McDavid was "nowhere close to game shape."
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