Connor McDavid makes bold claim about Oilers ahead of 2023-24 season
The Edmonton Oilers will head into the 2023-24 season with a lot of pressure on them to take that next step and reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006.
Oilers General Manager Ken Holland has been fairly busy this summer. He traded away Kailer Yamamoto and Klim Kostin to the Detroit Red Wings in late July and then went on to sign Connor Brown in free agency and have invited a pair of forwards - Sam Gagner and Brandon Sutter - to training camp on PTOs. Holland also made some minor signings to help the team with depth as well as in AHL Bakersfield.
Add in a full season of Mattias Ekholm, who they got before the trade deadline last season from Nashville, and the Oilers on paper look slightly better than they did last year.
Oilers captain Connor McDavid recently spoke to reporters in Edmonton and made a pretty bold claim about the team heading into the 2023-24 season, saying that he believes they have the best team in the National Hockey League.
Only time will tell is McDavid's words are true, but it's understandable why he has such a big belief in his team. McDavid and the Oilers will get their first test to prove the hockey world they're the best team in the NHL on October 11th as they host the Vancouver Canucks.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 10 | 217 ANSWERS Connor McDavid makes bold claim about Oilers ahead of 2023-24 season Do you think the Edmonton Oilers will win the Stanley Cup this season? | ||
| Yes | 68 | 31.3 % |
| No | 135 | 62.2 % |
| Not Sure | 14 | 6.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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![Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) and forward Anthony Cirelli (71) try and find the loose puck during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530722.webp "Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) and forward Anthony Cirelli (71) try and find the loose puck during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images")
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![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530544.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) plays the puck and Team United States defenseman Charlie McAvoy (25) defends in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530571.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) plays the puck and Team United States defenseman Charlie McAvoy (25) defends in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
