What to make of McDavid’s rant?

With Connor McDavid's locker room moment from the 2024 Stanley Cup Final becoming public, Ryan Rishaug and Frankie Corrado join Domino's That's Hockey to discuss what to make of it.

[@CoolsBreeze]

That's how a captain is supposed to act during cup finals. Especially when they were down 0-3.

[@gordonbgraham]

Zero points in games 6 and 7 with the Cup on the line

[@antiprogpragmatist859]

@@gordonbgraham… 🙄…

[@wainber1]

@@gordonbgraham The Oilers in game 6 had plenty of help other than from McDavid, with Leon Draisaitl having assisted on a goal and plenty of scoring and point production from others in a 5-1 win over the Panthers. Game seven wouldn’t go as well for the Oilers but that game was still close at 2-1 in regulation. Having enough players with a winning mindset who know how to execute in the big moments matters. The Raptors’ team that had ended its 2018-19 season with an NBA championship was loaded with such players among them Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam, Kawhi Leonard, OG Anunoby and quite a few others. The fourth season after that was played with such serious problems with chemistry that the Raptors would go from, at points in the third quarter, having had leads of 15 or more points two, with just over 5 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, allowing the Chicago Bulls to take a lead. The Raptors would, from then on, at points tie that game but would never after that take a lead, ultimately losing to those Bulls 109-105.

[@ddoghfx]

People do not know what happens behind closed doors with almost all teams. We are used to seeing a quiet, very sedate McDavid in interviews. some might think he's not engaged as a leader. Speaking to the media is not where you show leadership most of the time. He's not going to throw his team mates under the bus with the media but he'll express himself in the team setting. That is the way you do that. The one exception with regards to the media is defending your team mates in that environment. (See Phil Esposito in 1972 after the Vancouver game.)

[@cskvision]

Locker room tirades happen all the time from leaders, regardless if the camera's are on or not. Raw passion and raw competitiveness

[@MetalCharlo]

My opinion is that we aren't supposed to see this and debating it is useless.

[@lesevesel2898]

THIS. I cannot believe the Slicks' dressing room is only covered by a piece of cloth. Seeing Conor that broken up about effort from his teammates is a moment too intimate for voyeuring eyes.

[@randybegon3191]

leave the team alone let them process what has happened as a group without prying eyes

[@tromedl]

Yes! We can't tell anyway Was it good or bad. It's not our business.

[@icepakpackie425]

It's funny how these people actually don't understand how competitive other people are... These paper pushers should stick to propaganda and leave sports to the people who know what it's like behind the doors.. as a player this is what a captain should be like.. taking accountability to himself and his teammates, the passion professional players have is even more than 98% of humanity can ever understand.. you watch the most passion brings out the best in teams from 0-3 to game 7 said more then his rant could ever do... His rant worked

[@BobsVageane]

Could you imagine John Tavares yelling like that.

[@ktowniecity7269]

in his pajamas maybe

[@yammie75]

McDavid needs a Cup win to really cement his top 5 NHL player legacy. This is year 10 for him. Maybe 10 more? Maybe?

[@747Cone]

Pretty good chance this year according to the oddsmakers

[@wainber1]

@@747Cone I believe that whether or not he wins a Stanley Cup, he is already one of the best NHL players out there. The same can also be said about: - Carey Price as he helped the Habs make in 2021 their first post-1990s appearance in a Cup final (SCF) - the Sedin twins with the Canucks (2011 SCF appearance) - Doug Gilmour who, before having played with the Leafs in the 1990s, had already won a Cup with a previous team of his (the Flames)

[@MrCoryb77]

The guy is wasting his prime years not winning. To come one game or one goal away of winning it all and not is heart wrenching.

[@ImANoob3]

I can tell you've never played a sport in your life

[@MattySpadez]

If players want to win, stop signing huge contracts to allow depth on your team. It's that simple.

[@KOODA86]

Greed and an incompetent GM who’s philosophy is entirely based on overpaying players good or bad will do that to a “cup contender”. McCupless is gonna ask for $20 million, bowman will grant him his wish and Chokemonton will continue to dig a deeper hole and not win anything 🤣😂🤣💙🧡🛢️🤡🤡🤡

[@Childofbhaal]

If the Oilers don’t win the cup next year they might be screwed. Leon signed for 14 million and McDavid is going to expect a massive contract as well. So much money for just two players

[@carparthero]

@@Childofbhaal never mind mcjesus' $16m. that's going to be a formality. the contract to really watch is bouch-bombs. if he plays good this year he could be asking for erik karlsson money.

[@tromedl]

LOL it's their job and being paid accordingly is a part of it.

[@mudstyle5288]

Normal stuff in sports

[@Nigel-n9m]

None of our business what goes on in the bedrooms or dressing rooms of individuals and teams.

[@tdunph4250]

Our PM would like to know though...

[@747Cone]

@@tdunph4250🙄

[@thealbinorhino8760]

When has anyone in Toronto had this passion lol take note

[@gordonbgraham]

Plenty of guys in Toronto with zero points in games 6 and 7 though

[@tdunph4250]

Gilmour and perhaps Wendel.

[@fistmcstrongpunch2776]

Gary Roberts

[@747Cone]

@@gordonbgrahamwhen was Toronto in game 6 and 7 of the Stanley cup final? Oh, you mean 1942, got it

[@wainber1]

When have enough players on the Winnipeg Jets had that winning mindset and known how to execute in those big moments? Following their 2018 conference final appearance they’ve had trouble scoring in quite a number of games, with, among those during which they have scored under three goals, during the postseason of: - 2019, 6 such games during which they had gone 2-4, with no such game in that series during which they would score at least three goals - 2020, 3 such games, none of which they won (the only win having come when they had scored three goals in a regulation win over the Flames) - 2021, 4 such games during which they had gone 1-3 (swept the Oilers but got swept by the Habs) - 2023, 3 such games, all of which they lost, what’s the same for the following postseason That’s 16 games, over the past six seasons, that they played in postseason play during which they’ve scored under three goals, with just three wins in such games. Yet defensively things have been no better, with, among games during which, from the 2019 to 2024 postseason (28 total games) they had allowed at least: - 3 goals: 4, 3, 5, 4 and 5 such respective relevant games during which their records were 1-3, 0-3, 2-3, 0-4 and 1-4, translating to a rather poor 4-17 record in such games - 4 goals: 1 (0-1), 3 (0-3), 3 (1-2), 4 (0-4) and 5 (1-4) relevant games, translating to a record of just 2-13 over such games

[@tdunph4250]

Can anyone see Matthews or Nylander acting like this? Marner might be the loudest crier though...

[@fistmcstrongpunch2776]

What difference would it make? The Oilers still lost so no one cares what McDavid said.

[@That90sShow]

Like a whiner?

[@joshmccoy222]

Mcdavid is a big time leader in a big time sport i have never been an edmonton fan but i admire and look up to mcdavid very much so hard working

[@That90sShow]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Hartllx]

@@That90sShowlooks like we got someone who's living in denial. I mean id be laughing at myself as well😂

[@That90sShow]

He's got that beta rage 😂😂😂😂

[@johnjamieson9426]

Wow, look at Connor being an adult

[@adamtajhassam9188]

MY 2 cents. When oilrs had their most important game - they were good enough but not blood hungry good enough . This seems to happen w every Canadian team.

[@ML-my8qq]

I’ll give you your two penny’s back.

[@fistmcstrongpunch2776]

Thanks for your two cents. I will invoice you for $5 for wasting my time reading that.

[@ImANoob3]

"Not blood hungry" Bob played out of his mind in Game 7, which is why they lost Edit: Take ur 2 cents back and give me $100 for wasting my time reading that

[@BobsVageane]

This whole Amazon series is just F -Bombs.

[@badguy89o32]

I actually found it kind of funny only cuz how Edmonton Oilers fans acted after they eliminated the Canucks so turn about a fair play In other words stay classy Edmonton not classy at all

[@Hartllx]

The reason oilers fans acted like this is due to how weird Canucks fans were. If you're gonna run your mouth expect the pay back win they lose.

[@ImANoob3]

Yeah, cuz the Canucks fans kept bitching how Demko and Brock were injured

[@PUDDI1986]

Who cares about McD's rant. That's was last season. It's all about this season now.

[@MarkHadath]

It was awesome.

[@neildillon837]

Sounded unhinged and childish...nothing inspirational about it. Im surprised a few players didn't tell him to shut up.

[@isaacmontez6948]

The Goat

[@gordonbgraham]

Zero points in games 6 and 7 for McDavid in the finals…not f~ing good enough. Draisaitle zero points in 7 games in the finals

[@thebigpicture2032]

He was injured and couldn’t play. The real question is why did Edmonton keep using him in a completely ineffective role, knowing he was hurt and couldn’t shoot.

[@antiprogpragmatist859]

… I’d imagine you’re just a big zero in life so you need to mention games 6 and 7 to deflect from the big failure you are..🤷🏻

[@That90sShow]

​@@thebigpicture2032😂😂😂😂. He was wake boarding the next day kid

[@thebigpicture2032]

@@That90sShow Doesn’t mean he could hit the top of the net from the slot with his bum shoulder.

[@ryanstaunton421]

A tantrum thrown by a child.

[@sterlingmork2974]

Looked more like a spoiled baby having a tantrum that hates that he keeps losing because of his teammates not stepping up here, and he's blaming them.

[@zigfield723]

"rant"? Lmao tsn is a complete JOKE. Keep hating, leaf losers.

[@nadaduo1765]

it was embarrassing and cringe and he knew the cameras were there 😂

[@truenorth1355]

S a dk you clown.

[@tdunph4250]

He's not Crosby, Marchand or the Great8. They are winners. They get it done. At ALL costs!

[@nadaduo1765]

@@tdunph4250 yeah he's just a cry baby, it wasn't leadership he was just throwing a tantrum like a toddler and they lost the next game after this anyway

[@tdunph4250]

@@nadaduo1765 anyone can throw a tantrum.

[@Hartllx]

@@tdunph4250they didn't even get it done their teams did. Huge difference.

[@aaronlilley5007]

When I was in elementary school and even high school, people got punished for swearing. These guys who use the f word do much don't deserve to win the Stanley Cup. They are rich and can afford anything they want unlike 99.9% of people who struggle financially. No excuse to be like this about losing.

[@Hartllx]

Comparing swearing in school to real life where it's common almost 99% of the time makes no sense. The Stanley cup is considered the hardest trophy to get in all of sports and going down 2-0 in the finals, I think this was the perfect wake up call to his team.

[@dab1748]

Rishaug🤮

[@jashanbrar8668]

Mccrybaby jus can’t get it done , he ain’t mackinnon

[@Hartllx]

Mackinnon didn't get it done, his team did and that's the big difference. This is stuff a 5 year old would know.

[@LisaMiller-g8v]

Gonzalez Thomas Robinson Margaret Thomas Shirley

[@jerryrikki9466]

As an impartial observer McDavid didnt show up for game 7. The best player in the world needs to get on the board in a game 7 for the cup

[@Hartllx]

Mcdavid did his part throughout the entire playoffs and also brought his team back from 3-0 in the finals to make a game 7. That's not on mcdavid and it's on his team.

[@ImANoob3]

Bob played out of his mind in Game 7, you would know if you watched that

[@Hartllx]

@@ImANoob3 exactly. People just tend to hate on mcdavid when he doesn't show up in game 6-7 yet he showed up the entire playoffs. That 2nd goal was an awful one to let in by skinner, but Bob showed and was ready.

[@ImANoob3]

@@Hartllx Thanks for agreeing mate

[@scottmorrison9432]

Can't act like a spoiled child and be a winner. Best player ever but more of a baby than Crosby when he was a rookie. Leaders don't act like children. McCrybaby will never win unless the squeaker grows up.

[@WW3_Soon]

McDavid won’t ever win the Stanley Cup in Edmonchuk!

[@achillesninja]

This is who mcdavid is. Sore loser

[@fistmcstrongpunch2776]

McDavid will not win a cup in Edmonton. He will retire cupless if he doesnt request a trade.

[@tateanderson69]

passion, at least he said something..

[@yeyeng5075]

Oilers want to win the Stanley cup they need a good goalie. Florida can win the Stanley cup because they have a good goalie, otherwise Oilers already won the Stanley cup. Why the Oilers organization never learned the lesson. For sure this coming season Oilers will not win the Stanley cup because we have the issue of the goalie.

[@mysl1234]

The golden boy, saying that his teammates aren't good enough. All the players cried when they lose the cup. Why is this a big deal? He is all about himself, not a leader

[@zigfield723]

Not the reality at all, but ok 🤣 keep crying and stay jealous 😂

[@Damphouse]

He said the performance wasn’t good enough, not his teammates, bozo.

[@BobsUruncle-dl7cs]

Its clear that the entire locker room was dead silent...that it was just 1 Prima Donna screaming over spilt milk....the room was disconnected....there was no cohesion....Connors whining was to little to late...not coming out to accept the Trophy he won on behalf of his Team was also immature and childish....so what I make of this recent Oilers propaganda is that I saw an immature individual RANT by a player,the same immature Player who refused to come out to accept his Award, I will always remember Mcdavids Dads look and reaction on National TV when he realized Connor was NOT COMING OUT to face the music and to forever bond with his truest most loyal Fanbase who were waiting for him.... So this is just the Oilers trying to put an emotional bandage on an open wound. Connor acted like a baby when he refused to come get his Award...no excuses...apologize and do NOT EVER DO IT AGAIN.... you are human and lessons are ok....but if you try to spin-doctor some chocolate covered narrative which attempts to coerce people into believing that an immature childish action was ACTUALY a passionate respectful call to arms of his teammates then you simply DO NOT RESPECT THE INTELLIGENCE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE FANBASE. I would rather have a Connor Mcdavid who got carried with his own passion and acted in an immature way by not coming out to accept his Award for thats called a mistake and we ALL learn from mistakes if we really care.... than have a Connor Mcdavid who lets his own individual passion and fire burn brighter than his wish to respect the game/Fanbase that pays everyones bills..... the Fanbase are the ones who lost something very important in that moment when Connor became introverted and choked up ...they lost the chance to SHARE the loss with Connor and they lost the chance to BOND with him in ways only those moments can create... so in a Squirrels nutshell I say we saw an immature mistake being made during the SC Final by an Introverted person who is trying really hard to become an extroverted Leader... and thats being covered up by the Teams propaganda Dept....which prevents it from becoming a legit learning/bonding experience...and that prevents a solution from being applied to an obvious problem. Where were the "other voices" in the Locker Room when Connor was ranting? Without multiple layers of cohesive LEADERSHIP in a room....Championships cannot grow... there are roles not being filled in the Oilers Locker Room...if you care you want to know why because you wish to see positive change.... I want to see another Stanley Cup party in Edmonton...so I want to clear this up before the Oilers PR Department digs an even deeper hole.

[@Knova_20]

Write a novel bud

[@cliffordjordan9577]

Lol not reading all that especially after your reetarded first couple lines

[@hughjass1044]

Life really is miserable as a Leafs fan, ain't it?

[@BobsUruncle-dl7cs]

@@Knova_20 Skip it or Zip it...or lets call it a fictional entertainment value Novel and cough up 12.99 CDN.+tax.

[@BobsUruncle-dl7cs]

@@hughjass1044 Positive change requires painful growth.

[@MisterMister5893]

It proves he knows when the cameras are on him.... these shows in the lockeroom bring out the machismo in people who drop F-bombs every other word like they're impressing people.

[@pajamatime5750]

😂😂🤡🤡😂😂

[@yammie75]

Frustratingly bad take.

[@ML-my8qq]

Terrible take. You’re probably the same guy that will criticize his leadership based on his post game comments after a loss.