Oilers ‘pretty optimistic’ Connor McDavid will play opening night

Oilers GM Ken Holland says they’re “pretty optimistic” Connor McDavid will be ready for opening night, but it’s up to the doctors whether he’ll play at all in the preseason.

Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland says he’s “pretty optimistic” that Connor McDavid will be ready to play in the first game of the regular season.

Holland added that McDavid could also play in some pre-season games next week.

McDavid suffered a torn PCL in his left knee on April 6 in the season finale against the Calgary Flames.

Before camp opened, Holland wouldn’t commit to McDavid playing on opening night and said the team was going to be “conservative” in how they handled his recovery.

McDavid was cleared to participate in full practice with the Oilers last week and told reporters afterwards he was optimistic he’d be ready to start the season.

“I feel good,” McDavid said. “It was a complicated summer. Lots of stuff going on. Lots of different opinions.

“There was a time when (getting on the ice for camp) was definitely in doubt, but as of right now it’s good.”

The Oilers have five pre-season games remaining, with the next one on Thursday at home against the Vancouver Canucks. The team opens the regular season on Oct. 2, also at home against the Canucks.

[relatedlinks]

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.