The Edmonton Oilers announced on Saturday that star rookie Connor McDavid will not return to the lineup until after the All-Star Weekend, taking place on January 30 and 31.
It’s not entirely clear if there was a setback or if they’re being extra cautious with their future franchise star. After the initial injury the team had said they thought McDavid would return at some point in January.
In December, when McDavid started skating again, GM Peter Chiarelli said that McDavid was ahead of their internal schedule, a schedule they did not share publicly.
Now it looks like the first game he could return to game action in is a February 2 home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“It gives me an extra week of bone healing and getting ready to play,” McDavid told press Saturday. “You want to play as soon as possible, but at the end of the day, you have to play when it’s safe.”
"We've determined Connor is not physically ready to play between now and then." Coach McLellan on @cmcdavid97's rehab progress
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) January 9, 2016
McDavid was injured in a November 3 game against the Philadelphia Flyers when he raced into the offensive zone, tripped and crashed into the end-boards, suffering a broken left clavicle that would require surgery.
Up until that point, McDavid had come as advertised. He was outstanding, with great vision and game-breaking speed. He put up five goals and 12 points in first 13 NHL games.
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