Edmonton Oilers Analyst Rob Brown Predicts Connor McDavid’s NHL Document – EdmontonNews WAALI

By Mike D. Wagner On Oct 11, 2022

It was a rare moment when my colleague caught me off guard.

“I think Connor McDavid will score ten empty goals this year,” Rob Brown said in Friday’s edition of Overtime open line.

McDavid had sealed a 5-3 preseason win over the Seattle Kraken with an empty net. He was on the ice with two other high profile teammates, Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane. They assisted at the gate.

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The Edmonton Oilers ended the preseason with a 5-3 win over Seattle Kraken

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“You always want to be out there in situations like this,” Kane said after practice on Saturday. “First and foremost it’s about keeping the puck out of the net. But when you get the opportunity to strike, you really finish the game.”

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The Oilers had 21 clean goals in 2021-22. McDavid had seven of them, while Draisailtl and Kane each had three. Head coach Jay Woodcroft said who to sit out late in games to defend a lead is a situational decision. On many nights his top guns were the best choice.

“The priority is to seal the win, but if there’s a way to keep the other team on the backfoot, I don’t see anything wrong with that either,” Woodcroft said.

“I think we all have an idea of what to do when a guy with a bit of time gets the puck. It’s important that one guy goes and not all. I think we’re doing pretty well,” added Kane.

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The league record for empty net goals in a season is nine, shared by Alex Ovechkin (2021–22) and Pavel Bure (1999/2000). Rob is confident that McDavid will set new standards.

“I think the Oilers are going to be a very good hockey club. They will often take a late lead in hockey games. Leon would rather set up empty goals than score them,” explained Rob.

As for the all-time leader in empty goals? No surprise, it’s Wayne Gretzky at 56. McDavid sits at 17. Rob Brown? He had four.

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Forward Brad Malone used waivers on Saturday. Defenseman Markus Niemelainen was assigned to Bakersfield.

The Oilers have Sunday off. They will practice Monday and Tuesday in preparation for Wednesday’s regular season opener against Vancouver at Rogers Place (630 CHED, face-off show 6pm, game 8pm).