Coach Knoblauch delivers insightful commentary on Connor McDavid’s lack of goals.
Here is Mark Spector of Sportsnet’s analysis of Connor McDavid’s reduced scoring rate this season, which was published in his column on Saturday night following the Edmonton Oilers’ 6-3 loss to the Calgary Flames.
“Connor McDavid is the best player in the world,” Spector wrote. “The days of finding flaws in his game have all but disappeared.” But before anyone speaks up, how long do we have to watch the 64-goal scorer from the previous season miss the mark from a prime shooting position? Because it seems like he’s determined to pass up Grade A players in favor of hope passes to players who aren’t as good scorers. McDavid is now goalless in nine very productive games.
TSN’s Ryan Rishaug questioned Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch about the drought during the post-game scrum.
“I am unable to touch it.” I have no idea why,” Knoblauch remarked. “I believe he’s had some attractive looks. Perhaps there have been occasions for him to shoot that he has missed. However, I don’t believe that many have. I am unable to respond to that.
My interpretation. Spector is not the only Edmonton Oilers fan who is perplexed by McDavid’s recent goal slump. Furthermore, he is not alone in wondering if McDavid is passing too much.
In fact, the majority of supporters and almost every commentator with an opinion on the club have questions. How can a player who was a goal scorer last year—64 goals in 82 games—become less successful this year—21 goals in 53 games?
2. Having just examined McDavid’s goal scoring through the prism of video analysis, I’m even more perplexed by his situation.
In what way?
If you are a supporter shouting at the best player, “Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!”
He attempted 6.5 attempts on goal and scored 0.78 goals per game in the previous campaign. He is making 6.3 shots and averaging 0.40 points per game this season.
Thus, 6.3 shots on goal per game this year compared to 6.5 previous year. Not much of a difference, at least not enough to explain his nearly halving goals per game pace.
In other words, he is already shooting.
3. It’s also true that McDavid is nearly exactly where he was during his outstanding 2022–2023 scoring year when we include his overall significant contributions to all Grade A shots.
In 82 games last year, he scored 153 points, 1.87 of which came from substantial contributions to Grade A shots, averaging 6.9 per game.
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