Oilers’ Connor McDavid to miss 2-3 weeks with ankle injury

Credit: Apr 5, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) and Colorado Avalanche defensemen Cale Makar (8) chase a loose puck during the third period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

One of the best players in the world is going to miss time, but not enough to cause hysteria.

On Wednesday, the Edmonton Oilers announced that captain Connor McDavid is going to miss the next 2-3 weeks with an ankle injury.

#Oilers captain Connor McDavid sustained an ankle injury during Monday's game in Columbus & is expected to return to action in two to three weeks. pic.twitter.com/gSGUanCrJE

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 30, 2024

The 27-year-old was injured on the opening shift of the team’s game on Monday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. McDavid fell while skating the puck into the offensive zone, inadvertently hitting the sideboards before sliding into the corner. When skating off the ice, it looked as if he was favoring his left leg.

The shift lasted a total of 37 seconds, and he didn’t return after that.

EDM CBJ G10. October 27, 2024. Connor McDavid falls on first shift, leaves game after. 🎥: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/KHNv7LhUOh

— Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) October 28, 2024

The Oilers went on to lose the game, 6-1. While the team continued on its road trip, McDavid returned to Edmonton to be evaluated.

So far in the 2024-25 season, McDavid has scored three goals and seven assists for 10 points in 10 games, averaging over 20 minutes per game.

Lower-body injuries are nothing new to the former No. 1 overall pick native. McDavid hurt his knee in the final game of the 2018-19 season, though he was able to make it back in time for the start of the 2019-20 campaign. He also missed three games last April with a lower-body injury. An upper-body injury kept McDavid out of the lineup for two games last October as well.

The five-time Art Ross Trophy winner infamously suffered a fractured collarbone two months into his rookie season, which kept him off the ice for close to three months.

In the first nine years of his NHL career, McDavid also won the Rocket Richard Trophy after scoring 64 goals in 2022-23. He is a three-time Hart Trophy winner as league MVP and a four-time Ted Lindsay Award winner.

In 655 games, McDavid has scored 338 goals and 654 assists for 992 points, including 117 points in 74 playoff games. Last spring, as the Oilers made it to the Stanley Cup Final, he notched 42 points in 25 games, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy.

The Oilers (4-5-1) are currently seventh in the Pacific Division, with their .450 winning percentage placing them 13th in the Western Conference. Edmonton is scheduled to face the Nashville Predators on Thursday night.