McDavid: I 'haven't been playing well enough' through Oilers' slump
Connor McDavid is taking responsibility for his role in the Edmonton Oilers' miserable start to the 2023-24 campaign.
The reigning MVP has battled injury and mustered 10 points in nine games but vows to be better going forward as the Oilers aim to dig themselves out of a 2-8-1 hole.
"I feel healthy enough to be out there, and I've got to be better," McDavid told Sportsnet's Mark Spector.
"I've got to be contributing and playing the game that I can. Obviously, I'm a big part of the group and haven't been playing well enough."
McDavid missed two games last month with an upper-body injury but returned to the lineup earlier than expected to spark Edmonton to a win at the Heritage Classic on Oct. 29. The Oilers have lost three consecutive games since, with their captain managing a single assist over that span.
Edmonton was a popular Stanley Cup pick in preseason prognostications after an improved defensive game - along with its usual potent McDavid-led offense - saw the club rack up 109 points last season. That hasn't been the case thus far, as the Oilers rank 31st with a minus-18 goal differential.
The onslaught of goals against prompted the club to waive goaltender Jack Campbell, who's in the second season of a five-year, $25-million contract.
Although nothing's gone right for the Oilers this season, McDavid says he's confident they can turn things around.
"Everybody is disappointed with the start. Sitting at 2-8-1, that's not at all what we expected. Everybody is disappointed, myself included," he said. "With that being said, it's 11 games in. I can't sit here and just give you all dooms. I've got to (shine) a ray of hope.
"We went (17-2-1) coming down the stretch last year. We need a run like that and maybe then some. This group is capable of that. It may not look like that right now, but we are. Everyone has more to give. Myself included."
Edmonton will look to start its turnaround Thursday against the 1-10-1 San Jose Sharks.