Connor McDavid Calls Out Oilers for Taking 'Step Back' After 1st-Round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Loss

Superstar forward Connor McDavid didn't mince words about the state of the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday in the wake of their first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks.

Speaking to reporters two days after a 5-2 loss in Game 6 ended their season, McDavid said, "I agree with [teammate] Leon [Draisaitl] that the organization as a whole has taken a step back. And that starts with me, starts with Leon. We all can be better and we all need to be better."

Thursday marked a disappointing end to the season for an Oilers team that had reached the Stanley Cup Final in each of the previous two campaigns, losing to the Florida Panthers both times.

McDavid referenced comments made earlier Saturday by Draisaitl when he expressed a sense of urgency to win due to McDavid having only two years left on his contract.

Draisaitl told reporters, "In what world do you have the best player in the world on your team and you're not looking to win? I know we're looking to win, but we need to be better. We have to be better. There's no way around it, we have to improve. ... We have two years here right now and we have to get significantly better."

With McDavid and Draisaitl leading the way, Edmonton has made seven consecutive playoff appearances, and it came agonizingly close to winning the Cup in 2024 and 2025.

However, the Oilers fell short both times, and they weren't particularly close to Cup contention this season.

Their 93 points this season were their fewest in an 82-game campaign since 2019, and they benefited from playing in a weak Pacific Division.

In the Eastern Conference, 93 points would have been five points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for the fifth and final playoff spot.

Despite that, there was an expectation that the Oilers would turn it on in the playoffs and hit their stride, but that never happened.

The big guns largely performed well in the series against Anaheim with Draisaitl recording 10 points, McDavid registering six and defenseman Evan Bouchard finishing with seven, but many of the same issues that have plagued the team for years persisted.

In five starts in goal, Connor Ingram had a 3.86 goals-against average and .876 save percentage, and Tristan Jarry wasn't much better in his one start, posting a 3.84 GAA and .895 save percentage.

The 29-year-old McDavid is a six-time Art Ross Trophy winner as the NHL's leading scorer and three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner as NHL MVP, and as long as he is in his prime and on the roster, the Oilers have a chance to contend.

However, if the Oilers don't address longstanding shortcomings such as goaltending and defense this coming offseason, it is fair to wonder if McDavid will start to consider going elsewhere when his contract expires.