Connor McDavid Talks Shooting More, Expectations For Oilers & More | 32 Thoughts

Edmonton Oilers Captain Connor McDavid joins 32 Thoughts with Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek to discuss his expectations for this upcoming season, what it means to be a leader, his relationship with Leon Draisaitl, seeing Nazem Kadri in a Flames uniform and more!
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[@PurpleIsBored]

The one thing I've always loved about Hockey is the humility of it's superstars compared to other sports, this dude is arguably the most talented player to ever touch a puck, and he's polite not talking a bunch of crap, ups his teamates and other players. Lets go McJesus hope you win a cup someday.

[@Madbro204]

No he’s humble. He knows he’s ONE of the best, I don’t think anyone unless you’re a narcissist thinks they’re the best, unless they’ve proven it so much that they know they are the best

[@theodorebelmont7922]

NHL has always had a humble Canadian as the best player in the world and they're all usually pretty quite personalities. Orr, Gretzky, Lemieux, Crosby, and now McDavid. Hockey is very physical AND YOUR ALLOWED TO FIGHT. None of those other big American sports allow the players to actually go at it. It helps to be humble in a sport where guys can "legally" punch you in the face. .I bet most cocky NFL n NBA players would be so if fighting was allowed

[@ilarivaisanen]

@@Madbro204 What? Mcdavid definitely knows he is the best player. It's just the way it is, you can't lie to your conscious. He is just super modest, humble and ego-less person. Amazing human being

[@Troyjanwarrior1]

@@Madbro204 you should look up Ovechkins interview when he was asked who he thought was the best.Spolier... his answer was himself.

[@Troyjanwarrior1]

@@ToddSnow Your comment made little to no sence at all?What on earth are you talking about?

[@mcdaviddeservesbetter8]

This is the most personality he’s ever shown in an interview. Great questions. He looks relaxed here.

[@juleswinnfield6930]

Having guys like Spector ask you questions every game would be enough to want to get off the mic asap....

[@tromedl]

@@juleswinnfield6930 He and Matheson would kill anyone's desire to talk to press lol

[@theodorebelmont7922]

@@juleswinnfield6930 can't stand the Oilers media

[@Citadel1974]

He is pretty candid in his Spittin' Chiclets interviews too. I think the format helps. Rapid fire post-game questions don't really show case anyone's personality.

[@mcdaviddeservesbetter8]

@@Citadel1974 great point.

[@chaseparks1384]

I love McDavid. He’s never making waves or causing problems. Just focused and positive!

[@CinHalCedHerChance]

I wonder what happened with him and his gf after he was caught leaving a club with another girl this past summer.

[@pradineski]

“Start by scoring 50”. Buddies at 57 in 69 games…..😂. He’s unreal and I hope he gets to 70!

[@StankyLegs]

Connor seems a lot more comfortable in front of the camera these days. Nice to hear him open up more.

[@bradiator6465]

I love how McDavid & Matthews have so much respect for each other, they always watch each other’s plays & learn off each other’s games instead of choosing to be rivals.

[@donwarrington4916]

He looks leaner . I bet his speed and stamina are even more off the charts this season ...

[@ThatOGOne]

Rare McDavid personality shining through

[@liamgenosko7811]

Don’t give up kids. This guy is the best player in the NHL and he looks like an average dude. You don’t need to look like a bodybuilder to be good at hockey. No matter your body type, work on skating, stick skills and stamina. Train hard and you can become great.

[@CJMattias]

Are you saying he doesnt look athletic?

[@isaacwest276]

Deceptively, he can hit hard. Actually he led the Oilers in hits in the post-season and he hit a lot.

[@lameloball2867]

Casey Mittelstadt couldnt even do a pull up and he went 8th overall

[@drakemoreland9787]

It’s still largely genetics. Mcdavid clearly has fast twitch muscle fibres in the right places. Not something you can train for . Guarantee there was not a time where mcdavid wasn’t the fastest on his team

[@stevenduckering8445]

What? He’s in insane shape.

[@tiago2828]

One of his most honest interviews to date! Real answers

[@clarkesuperman]

Great interview guys. You could tell he was as comfortable as he’s going to be in this type of setting. Nice to see. Sometimes it’s nice to see the media have nice chill sit downs with the stars who are more comfortable rather than in a scrum or out in public when they are trying to shop.

[@stephenmills2632]

Well he lived up to it...52 goals and counting...not to mention 5 straight multi goal games

[@shaunchopra9763]

clinched playoffs and 6 wins in a row

[@davidarmitage289]

As a Flyers fan facing another train wreck season , I’m excited to watch Connor have a banner year. He is so mesmerizing and exciting to watch and has brought the game to another level.

[@waingro5834]

Lol eye sore of a team

[@chillspencer.4637]

Great interview from both sides.

[@scotteberline5458]

Elliotte Friedman seems like such a beauty...also great series with all these players.

[@theodorebelmont7922]

McDavid should hit 50 goals this year

[@tonychen3368]

I thought it’s going to go over 45 cause he’s truly truly impressive.

[@HarrisonHollers]

And he won’t celebrate one! Dudes awesome on and off the ice for the NHL.

[@GreekboyyD]

50 done and 60 up next.

[@ToyMakerprops]

As a Canucks fan all I can say is McDavid is fun to watch and reminds me of Pavel Bure. Tremendous talent very humbled.

[@DXAdamJensen]

Humble? Get over yourself. Mackinnon acknowledge how McDavid is the best in the world in the playoffs last season. Meanwhile, McWhiny refuses to return the favor and just try to generalize the Avs' performance. He doesn't care about anyone but himself

[@FUmfKOODA]

@@dnl4ever666 delate no more high. pkg x +ORANGE fake AL Grundau. Toronto make me laughs sux 😊😒😔😀😔😔

[@FUmfKOODA]

@@dnl4ever666 I delate no more. OKAY? PK X+ORANGE fake AL Grundau. Toronto make me laughs sux😝😝😝😛😛😛😜😜😜😜😜😜😝😝😝😛😛😛😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@tromedl]

@@DXAdamJensensalty much?

[@Dog-ss9ef]

@@DXAdamJensen Anime profile pic=Opinion invalid

[@GB-xh7hv]

Spanking the snot out of CGY with a one leg Drai will always be a lasting memory lol

[@chrisstopher2277]

This is my first time seeing him in a nice chill interview environment and I like him a lot better

[@waingro5834]

This guy trains like hes avoiding the cut list. Absolute animal. Its not all God given talent, its mostly hard work. All you kids take note. Practice when you get home from practice.

[@MrWFactor]

Love how humble majority of hockey players are.

[@Astriduserdavincky]

how can he be so humble when he is the best of the best...wow im just so impressive by this man

[@crent9191]

Because he's a Canadian. 💯🇨🇦🍁

[@danpranke3663]

And here we are. 62 goals. Unbelievable what this guy can do

[@spleen8834]

64 now!

[@meekyblinder]

67

[@StonedSpagooter]

I know right now is his "Prime" but seriously imagine how good he will be in his 30's once he hits his full man strength

[@GB-xh7hv]

The thing with him and other elite (specifically players with speed), they will all decline, but they will still be more productive than others I think.

[@Brotha00]

@@GB-xh7hv when you’re so high above average, your decline only brings you to average. MJ rule

[@lucarossi9453]

@@GB-xh7hv that’s what I’ve said about him, he’s main attribute is speed, we’ll have to see what he does once that speed goes. Crosby has never had that problem

[@TheActionStack]

30s? wtf more like 27 is the magic number

[@justinberber9848]

His speed will be on the decline soon, which is what makes him a great player, not strength Ask Looch how his man strength is working out for him

[@CodCats]

played on his team when I was 6, my mom said I was always pissed cause I never touched the puck he never passed! haha but we still won 20-0 every game, even in tournaments 2 years up!! crazy.. remember seeing him at 6 on a breakaway from the bench and he shot it over the net and wrapped around his own shot before they caught up. i couldnt even raise the puck lol

[@deelux5519]

That's lame....The guy never passed? Sorry, I don't think that's cool no matter how good he was. Maybe if he had concentrated on learning what it took to make the players around him better, he's have a cup by now.....I still think the guy has "little price" syndrome, he's too used to it being all about HIM. Gretzky wasn't like that. Demanding to play with Drai, even though it wasn't best for the TEAM, was an eye opener for me. It's also interesting that for all his skill, Connor has NEVER won ANY team championship of consequence. He's always gotten his individual stats, but he's never led a team ANYWHERE....Sorry everyone, but that's the truth.

[@OilersHD97]

​@Dee Lux what are you on about? Look at the guys assist numbers 🤣 never has he demanded to play with Leon. Connor has a U18 Gold, a WJC Gold and a World Championship Gold. He hasn't had a chance to play in the Olympics. His time is coming in the NHL.

[@marie2274]

Can you imagine Makar playing in Edmonton and having McDavid as a linemate. Good Grief that team would be unstoppable.

[@anul6801]

Well Gretzky and Lemieux had Coffey

[@JurasekIII]

Stay healthy McDavid, ya got a bright future young man!

[@Abovegroundcool]

It's awesome to hear what's on mcdavid's mind

[@GreekboyyD]

50 goals tonight and 60 looks like a given.

[@walrusswaagg6827]

oilers 2023 cup champs baby

[@FUmfKOODA]

@@dnl4ever666 I delate no more high, KOODA. PK X+ORANGE fake AL Grundau. Toronto make me laughs sux😝😝😝😛😛😛😜😜😜😜😜😜😝😝😝😛😛😛😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@blockland30]

This is the first entertaining McDavid interview ever

[@MetalGearShredding]

Didn't seem very entertaining to me.

[@blockland30]

@@MetalGearShredding It's entertaining for the fact that he is actually being honest with his answers for once and not just trying to be humble. You can also tell he's pretty comfortable here. It's nothing amazing but by McDavid's standards, this is easily his best interview to date.

[@youtubehatesfreespeech]

Spittin chiclets was pretty good

[@MetalGearShredding]

@@blockland30 fair enough, but I don't know how that's entertaining still. Dude is as mundane as my high school math teacher

[@blockland30]

@@MetalGearShredding Yeah he's not the most personable dude, especially on camera. But it was refreshing to see him not reside to his usual interview quirks.

[@NNHgohabsgo]

I love that he asked that sherwood question

[@2Jim2u]

Nice improvement on the faceoff wins this past season... adding Kane sure as heck helped.

[@Josh-vw3yl]

imagine Leon and Connor both 60 goals holly

[@theodorebelmont7922]

Happened in Pittsburgh in the 90s with Mario n Jagr in a hard scoring era. Its not impossible especially for those 2 Oilers

[@shakrmakr]

He hasn’t even hit 50 yet and Drai has never hit 60….

[@dannowicki3696]

Loven this team!! Go Oilers!

[@mercywilliams2698]

Some great scorers really thrive on setting up scoring outcomes. Gaudreau has expressed a preference for assisting .

[@versusedits6513]

The flow and beard, grow it back please

[@chrisnewby5713]

“It’s nice to come to Toronto, it’s even better leaving” Connor Mcdavid 2020

[@shanefoote4808]

Nice to see decent questions for a change from Edmonton media! He needs to shoot more and faceoff work still.

[@Bendall10]

Connor dressed like he's about to go into an interview for some tech company.

[@jimbeaver27]

looks right off the golf course

[@dodgersallday4290]

Dude you ARE one of the best athletes of all time

[@davidarmitage289]

Elliot is so right about that “McDavid glare” lol

[@RaySarasin]

Wayne Gretzky summed it up like this and I quote ( This is my puck, go get your own )

[@blushingwillowtree6800]

Its interesting to listen to him talking about the Captaincy here. I have always believed he was given the Captaincy too young. He already had an immense amount of pressure and huge expectations put onto him because he was "The Next One" and then the Oilers organisation decides to heap on the role of Captain? He was too young and too inexperienced at that time. He deserved the chance to simply be a player first and foremost and develop himself at the NHL level. Then, gradually take on a leadership role starting with becoming an Alternate Captain before eventually getting the Captaincy. How much of the losing problems after the 2017 playoffs could be attributed to the lack of experienced leaders on the team? Probably a good amount of the issues were having such a young and inexperienced core. I don't think it is a coincidence that they have only become a consistently competitive team AFTER all these core players aged up and became older more experienced players. McDavid could still be the Captain at this point, you can even see how last season 2021-2022 and this season 2022-2023 he has really stepped up to the plate and grabbed onto this role with more confidence. I think he will continue to improve as the leader of the Oiles year over year going forward. But if they would have held off for the first few seasons, then gone to an Alternate role for another few seasons, and finally give him the Captaincy at this point now then at least he would have built up to that responsibility. This would have been better for his overall development and likely his stress levels too. I sincerely doubt that he was able to positively lead his team in the role of the "Captain" until much more recently and was probably deferring to the more veteran players or the Alternates because he didn't know what to do or how to take control on a team that had people much more experienced who understood and were capable of performing the leadership roles better than himself. It is very difficult to step up and become a leader and it shouldn't be something that is just handed to people who have neither earned it nor shown that they are capable of handling it. That is not helpful to anyone. It is certainly not helpful to McDavid himself! You can see in this interview he did not think he was ready. There is no need for it to have happened in the first place. Sports teams need to think about these choices more carefully in the future and be sure that they are properly structuring the leadership groups of their teams in a way that is actually helpful to the team and to the individuals on the team. They should not just give out leadership roles because they think they can sell more jerseys to the fans if they have a "C" on it or whatever nonsense went into the management's decision making process for McDavid's Captaincy at such a young age. It is a vital role that has a real life impact on the player and on the team and it should not be handed out willy-nilly.

[@deewilly6817]

This aged really well, he hit 50 and 60

[@2Jim2u]

Didn't McDavid have that knee injury in the following season? The prior season to 16-17 it was his Clavicle right. The 15-16 Oilers followed by the 16-17/17-18 squads, didn't they suffer from defensive-itis - reason they needed to improve D? By that I mean, Bakersfield was new in 15-16 (brand new AHL club from Okla Cit), multiple players injured in 15-16 onward, they couldn't rely on their D nor their farm team ... it was brand spanking new.

[@OilersHD97]

64 goals and 151 points in 80 games. Insanity. 2 games left

[@isaacwest276]

The only area we got worse in this off-season is emotional leadership, Mike Smith was so important for mentoring and leadership which made him easy to cheer for a love for me; so I wanted to him to stick around (don't get me wrong, I love Skinner and I'm sure I'll love Campbell). He is technically with the team being on LTIR. He was hugely underrated last season and the playoffs. Yeah he had his uh... "moments" but he also had his MOMENTS. I'll miss him and I hope the Oilers can make up for the emotional loss of Smitty and Keith.

[@vincemedak9734]

I hope his sticking around on ltir may grow into a role as an assistant coach type thing for the goalies and try to intill some of his fight in the locker room in some way.

[@reubination]

Kane will have no problem filling that role.

[@MrNeeko777]

insane watching this interview for the first time now that he's had the season that he had.

[@lukejaffray2518]

Man when he talked Makar I was brought back to the stupid offside goal (if you read the rule book the refs got it wrong) that lead to the challenge that lead to the penalty that led to the goal which made the avs win that game

[@patrykkuffel2679]

Uhhh no by the rulebook they got it right. Regardless if you take the goal away it's a tied game. If you want to take the win away it's still a 3-1 series going into Colorado for game 5.

[@captain-bedhead]

I wonder who the younger player is that he said he pushed too hard at one point. Yamamoto? McLeod? Puljujärvi?

[@tromedl]

Puljujärvi pushing back? That's an interesting thought.

[@Greenfrom3]

Prob Pool. Lol.

[@crent9191]

Bison. He was always on his case.

[@monkeygamenow3731]

He should grow out his hair, he had a sick flow

[@tubingforever]

And just like that, he looks 19 again.

[@TorNationGamingTnG]

nice of mr dahmer to sit down for an interview !

[@TrickGriffith]

Best player of all time.

[@UrmomSwallow69]

My captain 💙🧡💙🧡💙🧡

[@ilarivaisanen]

Amazing person

[@pattaccone5347]

It is tough to compare yourself to one of the greatest athlete of all time but you are also one of the greatest athletes of all time so it should be acceptable

[@bilal2290]

Go oilers 😊

[@freedomforall2924]

Like how clean looking he is. Quite professional. Keep it up bud

[@defstone999]

For someone who says he's blunt ( at least to Leon) he gives the most greyist answers to every question.

[@oilersnation739]

Cause you ain't in the locker room so you ain't need to know what he saying to a T

[@NicoCdawg]

He's a monochromatic man

[@MrSharkFIN]

It's different though. Personal conversation with a good friend vs a conversation with two guys from a podcast which anyone could see

[@bretbuck8173]

Hes trying to watch his demeanor to media so nothing can be twisted by them. You have to be dumb to think he doesnt act different as captain talking to his team

[@richard_nj]

why would he say what he really thinks and get straight to the point in these settings? not a single thing to be gainec from being blunt and honest with the media

[@loganguilbault269]

This aged well. Mcsixty!

[@timcarruthers2372]

Such a clean cut kid. Did Connor grow up over the summer?

[@Pamirschi]

He did not joke when he said he is practicing his shot and want to score more.... 12 goals in 12 games

[@pheirphon4680]

Congratulations Connor

[@christopherzwicker6509]

A good healthy relationship 😊

[@Overtimewinner]

Only difference between him and other elite players is that he's been elite since day one.

[@isaacwest276]

It's great that McDavid and Draisaitl are better than they think but it's also annoying watching them give up an easy to goal to pass it to someone else (and it's also very nice of them and great for team chemistry, but come on just shoot it)

[@gatesgates7788]

They make the right play.

[@tromedl]

LOL yes it is annoying sometimes. Just shoot the puck. Shoot!

[@littlemanlindsay2941]

Worlds best hockey player!!

[@mattshank8155]

@@dnl4ever666 typical hater who knows nothing about the sport 😂😂🤡🤡🤡

[@littlemanlindsay2941]

@@mattshank8155 Right? They even didn’t spell Oilers right!

[@littlemanlindsay2941]

@@dnl4ever666 lol learn to spell Oilers right!!

[@mattshank8155]

@@dnl4ever666 LMAO what? i’m not an oilers fan you dunce😂😂😂😂🤡🤡🤡 you’re definitely either a flames leafs or kings fan salty about how pathetic your team is 😂😂🤡🤡 cups are won by teams 😂😂 hockey is a team sport. doesn’t take away the fact that Mcdavid is the best in game right now 😂😂😂😂 stay mad sped 😂😂😂

[@mattshank8155]

@@littlemanlindsay2941 buds a joke. he sits in his parents basement refreshing youtube every 30min waiting for a video about McDaivd/Oilers to hop on and comment dumb unintellectual nonsense 😂

[@TerrysTwigReviews]

HE GONNA BE SUCCESSFUL

[@user-bt6lf1cc7i]

Талановита людина!!!

[@kingnaes1]

This McDavid kid could be quite the player

[@tonychen3368]

This guy is about to get over 45 goals again, just an whole complete player.

[@levib]

Turns out by the all star break…

[@guitarcovers5437]

Mcdavid is going to go off this year if he shoots more and passes less.

[@GreekboyyD]

Good call.

[@stukenukem]

165pts this Season. Calling it

[@fastingmonkey3556]

I’m thinking 140

[@levib]

Update so far you might be right!

[@stuartforreal]

@@levib thanks brotha!

[@johnbourette5716]

you are the best l watch you when you play in Belleville l was goal judgu

[@ssboooy4153]

Should’ve asked what he got up to in the summer 👀

[@Dhemize]

Big Hockey Canada guy

[@dannowicki3696]

WOW 👏 ❤

[@popdropshake]

He looks like he’s about to score 150pts

[@mrfake675]

Hope he packs protection

[@jj66699]

@@mrfake675 For the goaltenders?

[@GreekboyyD]

Good call.

[@eggstu]

GOAT

[@stoneysopranoyukon9398]

Go Oilers !!!

[@mrfake675]

And F*CK Calgary

[@Mrminiyoda]

Conner is the best in the nhl

[@mattshank8155]

@@dnl4ever666 and here you are again 😂😂😂🤡 go touch some grass you bozo. stay mad. McDavid is the best in the NHL and it’s not close. must be a flames fan 😂😂

[@FUmfKOODA]

@@dnl4ever666 I delate no more. OKAY? PK X+ORANGE fake AL Grundau. Toronto make me laughs sux😝😝😝😛😛😛😜😜😜😜😜😜😝😝😝😛😛😛😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@SanchezKirby]

@@dnl4ever666 some leafs/laughs trolling ehhh

[@Mark_Cadden]

Shout out the Erie Otters

[@Cofitube94]

Starting to look a lot like his dad, especially with the clean cut

[@mrfake675]

You mean his Dad is starting to look like Connor. Facts

[@ramalama9030]

McDavid makes all other players…..including Matthews’ look average!!

[@davidarmitage289]

Well said.

[@truthspeakerlive]

Kadri vs McDavid let's go

[@robyschwendi2856]

Kadri? No chance 😅🤣😂!!! Matthews? Close call!

[@FUmfKOODA]

@@dnl4ever666 I delate no more high KOODA. OKAY? PK X+ORANGE fake AL Grundau. Toronto make me laughs sux😝😝😝😛😛😛😜😜😜😜😜😜😝😝😝😛😛😛😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@Zendrive13]

Looks like zack from little people, big world!

[@agrandcanyonoffucksgiven2776]

Welp this was prophetic

[@Subaruby34]

At look at him now, 60goals scored with 10games remaining, 70? lets go

[@tommy.m7102]

The Best player in the league....Jesus Christ 97

[@spectralflop823]

Wow wat a stud

[@jennifergushta5732]

Mcdavid is gonna be the next gretzky to win the cup

[@FUmfKOODA]

@@dnl4ever666 I delate no more. OKAY? PK X+ORANGE fake AL Grundau. Toronto make me laughs sux😝😝😝😛😛😛😜😜😜😜😜😜😝😝😝😛😛😛😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@stantheman0091]

He’s gonna break Gretzkys record for the most art Ross trophies

[@mattshank8155]

@@dnl4ever666 found comment number two 🤡🤡🤡 have you went outside yet? pathetic sped 😂😂😂

[@FUmfKOODA]

@@dnl4ever666 I delate no more. OKAY? PK X+ORANGE fake AL Grundau. Toronto make me laughs sux😝😝😝😛😛😛😜😜😜😜😜😜😝😝😝😛😛😛😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@antn3798]

Sorry 1st time I’ve seen McJesus since the drunken hand holding video, are we not going there?

[@rmb41968]

60 with 10 games left

[@desertdog3473]

Connor Mcdavid

[@jalden1579]

60 goals at least for 97!

[@achillesninja]

Scoring goals isn't the hardest.. Winning the cup is

[@dolomitemusicgroup]

Score no goals win no cup..score the most goals..win cup

[@NHLfromBN]

@@dolomitemusicgroup we did score the most goals but let too many in too

[@dolomitemusicgroup]

@@NHLfromBN oilers scored 65 goals Colorado scoref 85 goals...

[@NHLfromBN]

@@dolomitemusicgroup I meant we were the highest scoring until colarado went through the next series

[@mrfake675]

Alpha stud