Connor McDavid wants to be ready for the Oilers camp

(Toronto) The first question posed to Connor McDavid would of course be about the condition of his left knee. Then the next, and the next after.

Joshua Clipperton
The Canadian Press

The Edmonton Oilers captain skated around eight questions on his knee, not saying much except he "works" to be ready in time for the training camp, which starts in two weeks and half.

"It's getting better. It's a little better every day, "said the 22-year-old center center about his knee Monday.

When did he start skating again?

" Few months ago. "

When does he think he's 100% back?

"I work to be ready for the camp. "

McDavid heard the questions, then answered.

Does he have any fears of not being ready for the first training of the Oilers camp?

"I'm working to get ready for the camp," he said. I focus on that. "

The hockey world was panicked when McDavid hit the post violently after a crash in the last regular season Oilers game against the Calgary Flames in April.

McDavid, who does not participate in the ice and off-ice activities of BioSteel's annual camp, which features several NHL players, appeared to have told a therapist that he had suffered a fracture while grabbing his leg after the injury. collision.

The initial magnetic resonance imaging test was negative, but the results of a subsequent test showed a slight tear in the posterior cruciate ligament of the knee. McDavid wore an orthosis during a promotional event in June in which he refused to discuss his condition. On Monday, he seemed to be walking without problems.

"It's all down," said McDavid, one of the best skaters on the circuit. I want to be sure to be perfectly healed and not hurt myself again. "

A two-time Art Ross Trophy winner, McDavid trained as usual under former hockey player Gary Roberts this summer, but focused solely on his rehab.

"It's different," he said. It takes a lot of time. "

McDavid finished second in the NHL with 116 points in 2018-19, but the Oilers missed the playoffs for the third time in four seasons.

He will play under a different third coach in 11 months, since Dave Tippett will be the one with the whistle around his neck at the start of the camp. The Oilers also have a new general manager, Ken Holland.

The team has participated only once in the playoffs in the last 13 seasons. Is the new version good enough to compete in the Western Association?

"We are working on that," said McDavid. We made changes. We hope they will work. "

Among the changes on the rink, the Oilers traded forward Milan Lucic to the Flames in return for James Neal in an exchange of players who did not meet expectations after signing lucrative contracts.

"I'm disappointed to see (Lucic) leave," said McDavid. He was a good friend. "

McDavid is curious to see what Neal has to offer. Neal scored 31 goals in 2015-16, but hit the target just seven times last season.

"He has won a lot in this league, he has scored a lot of goals," said McDavid. He had a bad season last season, but he's training (with Roberts) and he's working as hard as ever. "

McDavid posted a cautious optimist ahead of next season. He has no other choice.

"There will be competition at the camp," he said. We will see who will be able to win positions. I do not know who will do it, but all that matters is that they are able to play. "