- Leon Draisaitl says Connor McDavid’s start is “just not real”
- McDavid has 31 points in 10 games and is on pace for 260
- Read below for what Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins and Brind’Amour said
Leon Draisaitl ran out of ways to describe what Connor McDavid is doing.
Draisaitl was asked about McDavid’s 31 points through 10 games after Thursday’s 6-5 shootout win over the Hurricanes, and he went right to the point.
“What do you want me to say? It’s just not real,” Draisaitl said. “He’s maybe the greatest player to ever play, in my books. It’s a pleasure to share the ice with him, a pleasure to learn from him every day. He deserves everything.”
Here’s the graphic we put together on Draisaitl’s reaction:
McDavid had five points (two goals, three assists) against Carolina. He set up both of Draisaitl’s goals and fed Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the power play. His 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists) put him on pace for 260 over an 84-game season. Wayne Gretzky’s record of 215 came in 80 games back in 1985-86.
Draisaitl also talked about how McDavid has changed since he was younger.
“When he was 24, he was just as flashy, just as fast but there’s little details that maybe weren’t as great,” Draisaitl said. “Now, his game is as complete as it gets, and he hasn’t lost a step offensively. I mean, you really just run out of words.”
Watch Draisaitl’s full session with the media after the game:
Nugent-Hopkins made his season debut Thursday after missing the first nine games with a lower-body injury. He got a close look at what the rest of the league has been dealing with.
“I feel like he just keeps raising his level. It’s impressive,” Nugent-Hopkins said. He also pointed out that the goals from McDavid, Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard have come in big moments, not just in blowouts.
Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour had a simpler explanation for the damage on the power play. “They’re two of the best players maybe ever to play when there’s that much space,” he said. Edmonton scored three power-play goals in the win.
Draisaitl isn’t exactly lost in the shuffle, either. He sits second in the league with 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 10 games, and the Oilers are 8-1-1 with the NHL’s best points percentage at .850.
We covered the 30-points-in-10-games milestone Thursday night, and the start only looks bigger the longer it goes. Here is our graphic on the Oilers captain’s run:
