Has Connor McDavid lost his love for the game?

[Cascade Youth]

Interesting article - McDavid sounds worn down and ready to quit.  I wonder if he’ll be the NHL’s version of Andrew Luck.  Shame, he’s a generational talent.

McDavid is depressed

 

Edited August 28, 2019 by Cascade Youth

[LGR4GM]

4 minutes ago, Cascade Youth said:

Interesting article - McDavid sounds worn down and ready to quit.  I wonder if he’ll be the NHL’s version of Andrew Luck.  Shame, he’s a generational talent.

McDavid is depressed

 

Andrew Luck had multiple injuries and was dealing with another one when he retired, what does this mean? Is McDavid injured and suffering? Sounds like he could be. 

Edited August 28, 2019 by LGR4GM

[Cascade Youth]

11 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Andrew Luck had multiple injuries and was dealing with another one when he retired, what does this mean? Is McDavid injured and suffering? Sounds like he could be. 

It sounds like the physical and mental toll is sucking the life out of McD.  Apparently his knee injury isn’t healing very quickly - perhaps because he’s too unenthusiastic to rehab it aggressively.  From the quotes in that article he sounds downright miserable.

[darksabre]

This all seems like a stunt by the reporter to drive clicks.

If you want players to give honest answers, don't give them a hard time for not giving you the boilerplate non-answers you clearly expected to hear.

Connor McDavid is frustrated that he's the only good player on his team and keeps getting hurt? That he's still rehabbing and it probably ruined his summer? Shocking.

August is the worst.

[sabills]

To me that article sounds like something written by a guy who's trying to convince himself that McDavid is going to some day come play for the Leafs more than it does anything else. But I certainly wouldn't blame him if he WAS burnt out at this point.

[LGR4GM]

10 minutes ago, Cascade Youth said:

It sounds like the physical and mental toll is sucking the life out of McD.  Apparently his knee injury isn’t healing very quickly - perhaps because he’s too unenthusiastic to rehab it aggressively.  From the quotes in that article he sounds downright miserable.

For sure. We talk about Jack speaking better and sounding like a leader, McDavid sounds miserable and like he hates his job. 

[Ogre]

12 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Is McDavid injured and suffering? Sounds like he could be

Poor little guy.... I’ve been an Ironworker for 25+ years...spinal fusion L5/S1, surgical repairs on both shoulders, badly crushed fifth metatarsal right foot, torn MCL left knee, left wrist broken twice....what am I forgetting? 

Oh yea. Two exposures to high levels of asbestos resulting in diminishing lung function compounded by a nearly Dailey 30 year exposure to silica...nerve damage in both arms and legs due to chronic overuse injuries. And....I’m not done yet. I have an appointment on Tuesday with a spinal specialist to find out why my neck hurts 24/7 and why my hands and feet are numb...

I did it/am doing it at 47 yo because I need a roof over my head and food in my belly. No fame. No fortune. I try not to whine too much about it though.

 Connor should be counting his blessings, not crying in his cornflakes... 

[LGR4GM]

4 minutes ago, Ogre said:

Poor little guy.... I’ve been an Ironworker for 25+ years...spinal fusion L5/S1, surgical repairs on both shoulders, badly crushed fifth metatarsal right foot, torn MCL left knee, left wrist broken twice....what am I forgetting? 

Oh yea. Two exposures to high levels of asbestos resulting in diminishing lung function compounded by a nearly Dailey 30 year exposure to silica...nerve damage in both arms and legs due to chronic overuse injuries. And....I’m not done yet. I have an appointment on Tuesday with a spinal specialist to find out why my neck hurts 24/7 and why my hands and feet are numb...

I did it/am doing it at 47 yo because I need a roof over my head and food in my belly. No fame. No fortune. I try not to whine too much about it though.

 Connor should be counting his blessings, not crying in his cornflakes... 

If you were given a 1 time bonus tomorrow that if managed right would allow to live at or above your current means for the rest of your life, would you continue to work? 

You are 47, so you have say 35 years left (sorry using averages). I give you 10 million dollars. Do you continue to work? 

[Ogre]

1 minute ago, LGR4GM said:

If you were given a 1 time bonus tomorrow that if managed right would allow to live at or above your current means for the rest of your life, would you continue to work? 

***** YES!!!

[Ogre]

I could take my disability retirement right now. All of my doctors want me to do it but I’d be below my average yearly income. The neck thing may end it regardless of my wants though...

2 minutes ago, Ogre said:

***** YES!!!

Wait a minute....I misread this!!  

YES I would take the bonus!

***** NO would I work as an ironworker ever again!

[LGR4GM]

I think that is the difference. McDavid has enough money that he could live a moderately decent life if he retired even today. He has 26mil in his bank account not including taxes (roughly). Lets say that cuts him to 13mil. If he is moderately responsible he could live a decent life on 13mil. While I respect you working through what you are and think that sucks, McDavid much like Luck has the option to walk away because they have enough financial capital to do that. 

If McDavid used 250k a year from his 13 million with literally no investments, he could live for 52 more years without running out of money. You figure he would invest so that number could easily expand out past 52 years. 

So I think I disagree with the crying in your cornflakes comment. You are talking about a person that has enough money to live comfortably and is debating whether they want to continue the struggle (I think this applies to Luck more than McDavid). That doesn't make them a whiner, that makes them smart for considering how they want to live their life and at what quality knowing they are financially set. 

You yourself would retire if I gave you 10mil today, so are they whining or just recognizing that they can retire and live a good life? Quitting your job because you have gained enough financial security is not whining, it is valuing your life more than your work. 

Edited August 28, 2019 by LGR4GM

[Wyldnwoody44]

I value my life way more than my job, if I had the means to quit today, you better believe there is no way I'd work in medicine in any developed country again. 

Lets not forget, Connor has played in Edmonton, which, I hear is not a wonderful area. To further that, he's on a junk team (much like ours) with mounting injuries. I know how salty I can get in my profession when even some smaller things are clearly not in line. 

He's also what, mid 20's, I am sure some of the things I've said then, I wouldn't now, just because of life maturity. 

Maybe he just wants out of Edmonton, maybe he's venting, maybe he doesn't want to play professionally, either way, he's allowed to not be thrilled at his situation. 

[Ogre]

3 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

That doesn't make them a whiner,

It’s all about perspective. A 22 yo with more money than God and a full life ahead of him vs a 47 yo that most likely has an early demise in his future...I’ll apologize if I’m coming of as peevish. I’m out of work(without pay of course) as I wait for a surgeon to correct the second perirectal abscess that I’ve had in the last 13 months. 

My point is that there are a ton of people that have occupational illnesses that are simply forgotten by society. Why would any of them give a rats ass how McDavid(or Luck) feel? 

Will the world care if my career ends early? Hells no! Again, I try not to whine too much. I’m smart enough and have diversified my skills enough that I’ll most likely step into another gig easily enough. Most folks aren’t in my position, which is not nearly as good as Connor’s but not nearly as bad as most.

I’m not directing my ire at you either. You’re probably one of the most socially progressive posters on here. 

I also wish the kid well. Don’t be a dummy Connor!

[That Aud Smell]

That dude who wrote the piece ... Cathal Kelly. His name and picture ring a bell with me. Has he written hack pieces in the past? Or do I remember him because he's good?

[That Aud Smell]

Having read the piece, it certainly has a certain angle and agenda about it. But it's fair game for the columnist to read body language and in between the lines. It's also sort of interesting to think that McDavid and Eichel are in somewhat similar spots --- max term deals with teams that have not become good around them. At least McDavid had a playoff run.

[Randall Flagg]

Draisaitl - McDavid - Kassian
Chiasson - Nugent-Hopkins - Neal
Nygard - Granlund (the bad one) - Gagner (still??)
Brodziak - Khaira - Archibald


How on earth could you end up with that roster while trying to win the whole time

 

Every forward not named McDavid/RNH/Draisaitl is either way washed up (Neal) or awful

[darksabre]

I honestly think the Sabres are in better shape. It will require this season to let it materialize, but I can't see how Edmonton is better than us next year (if there's hockey).

[Taro T]

The guy is human.  Regardless of ones station in life, everybody gets depressed at times.  Especially when dealing with injuries and the reality that even when you're living your dream, life doesn't meet those expectations.  (Especially when you're on a train wreck of a team plunked down in the middle of Alberta.). Who hasn't wondered what could've been and whether the path they're on is the right one, especially in their early 20's when the path can fairly easily be changed?

He'll get over it.  And eventually, he'll end up on another playoff caliber team (likely in Edmonton, possibly elsewhere) and things will seem better.  But the toilet will still clog at the most inopportune time and people he cares about will get sick and die and others will find a spouse and lead a family and he'll celebrate those joys with them as well.  It'll be better, but not a fairy tale.  And depending upon the backlash from this article and others like it, McClavicle will learn to make his answers to reporters as trite as everyone else's are.

And yeah, his life will be easier than most of ours, but it's only better if we don't make of ours what we can.  (Easier isn't better, it's simply easier.).

 

Aside to Ogre.  Really wish you the best with your health issues.  You've chosen a very difficult path, though it seems from having spoken with you you've found it rewarding in its own way.  Will say a prayer that you come out successfully with this next and any future surgeries.

 

And where's Neo or LTS when you need them? They wouldn't have rambled so incoherently in a pseudo philosophical manner.  (Oh, well.)

[Weave]

2 hours ago, Ogre said:

My point is that there are a ton of people that have occupational illnesses that are simply forgotten by society. Why would any of them give a rats ass how McDavid(or Luck) feel? 

Because this is a hockey forum and he is the biggest name in hockey right now.  As such it is relevant to the fans here.  And interesting to talk about as we have a star center in a similar boat.

[Ogre]

2 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

You yourself would retire if I gave you 10mil today, so are they whining or just recognizing that they can retire and live a good life? Quitting your job because you have gained enough financial security is not whining, it is valuing your life more than your work. 

YES! Sorry I didn’t see the edit until now. I can understand being down and depressed. Was I full of sunshine while rehabbing from injuries? No. I ran my life savings down to $0 when I had the spinal fusion while caring for an (ex)fiancé and her daughter. I didn’t pout or fill my dialogue with negative connotations. I had a little girl to keep happy. I had a responsibility greater than myself. It’s the same reason I’ve stuck with this gig. I have the ability to help a great many people with my attitude alone. I can be an example to my peers. Connor has the same motivation as well as a big pocket full of money. Keep yer yap shut and pay it forward to the rest of your peers, kid. If you don’t want to play anymore just walk away, lips pursed if you must. Step out of the world you’ve built around yourself and be more. It’s a very easy thing to do.

As far as the 10 mil, I don’t need that much so I would stop abusing my body and become a huge activist for the Labor movement and the working person. The $ that I didn’t need to live on would go to good use. You can bank on that?

2 minutes ago, Weave said:

Because this is a hockey forum and he is the biggest name in hockey right now.  As such it is relevant to the fans here.  And interesting to talk about as we have a star center in a similar boat.

You are absolutely correct. It’s a personal fault of mine to see kids with the world in the palms of their hands lamenting the “what ifs”. Can’t. Friggin. Stand it.

[Ogre]

1 hour ago, Taro T said:

You've chosen a very difficult path, though it seems from having spoken with you you've found it rewarding in its own way

Very correct, sir. I’ve had the good fortune to be involved with things that would blow most people’s minds. It’s meant more to me than financial gain over the years. It’s part of the reason that I applaud these stars that can just walk away. Also it’s the driving force behind my detestation of any any of these stars whining about their situations. You’ve had the great fortune to stand on the greatest stages on earth. Show some gratitude.

Also, thank you for the kind words.

[#freejame]

3 hours ago, Ogre said:

Poor little guy.... I’ve been an Ironworker for 25+ years...spinal fusion L5/S1, surgical repairs on both shoulders, badly crushed fifth metatarsal right foot, torn MCL left knee, left wrist broken twice....what am I forgetting? 

Oh yea. Two exposures to high levels of asbestos resulting in diminishing lung function compounded by a nearly Dailey 30 year exposure to silica...nerve damage in both arms and legs due to chronic overuse injuries. And....I’m not done yet. I have an appointment on Tuesday with a spinal specialist to find out why my neck hurts 24/7 and why my hands and feet are numb...

I did it/am doing it at 47 yo because I need a roof over my head and food in my belly. No fame. No fortune. I try not to whine too much about it though.

 Connor should be counting his blessings, not crying in his cornflakes... 

I’m not seeing your point in any of this other than, maybe, projecting your feelings towards young people McDavid didn’t give any atypical quotes and was acting like he typically does. He didn’t provide any crazy quotes or sound ungrateful in any way. 

Im on disability from the military. That has nothing to do with Connor McDavid nor does it make me resent him in any way, shape or form. I would hate to see anyone in mental or physical pain, regardless of their level of fame and fortune.

Is it so much to ask that, even if people can’t be happy or sympathetic  for others in their decisions to, to live and let live? Why do we need to disparage people? 

[Ogre]

5 minutes ago, #freejame said:

I’m not seeing your point in any of this other than, maybe, projecting your feelings towards young people McDavid didn’t give any atypical quotes and was acting like he typically does. He didn’t provide any crazy quotes or sound ungrateful in any way. 

Im on disability from the military. That has nothing to do with Connor McDavid nor does it make me resent him in any way, shape or form. I would hate to see anyone in mental or physical pain, regardless of their level of fame and fortune.

Is it so much to ask that, even if people can’t be happy or sympathetic  for others in their decisions to, to live and let live? Why do we need to disparage people? 

Connor’s general tone was not one befitting a Captain of an NHL club. Mentioning the loss of “Looch” without so much as a nod to the new teammate? Laughing out loud at the questions about missing the playoffs? A person’s tone can be as certifying as their words.

You’re right. He doesn’t come out and call the Oilers turds but he certainly didn’t fulfill his responsibility as team captain IMO. I could be wrong though. I often am. 

FTR I am very happy for him! I can be repelled by his tone/demeanor and still like him and want the best for him. 

[nfreeman]

McD finds himself in exactly the type of situation -- being married to a crappy organization with zero prospects of winning anytime soon -- that has driven LeBron, Durant, Kawhi and many other NBA stars to sign a series of short-term contracts instead of long-term deals.  This gives the player the ability to walk away if the team doesn't hold up its end.  OTOH, the price the player pays for this freedom and flexibility is the risk of foregoing the huge guaranteed $$ that is available in a long-term deal.

It isn't exactly apples to apples, as NBA contracts are shorter anyway, and NBA teams have a shorter period in which they can hold onto their young players, but I think the core concepts are still applicable.  McD could've signed a deal that took him to UFA and no further.  If he had done so, he would've held the Oilers' feet to the fire to build a good organization around him.  He took the money instead (which is what I would've advised him to do) -- but that security comes at a price.

[darksabre]

Sometimes I wonder (okay, I don't wonder, I assume) if young players don't fully understand the reality of pro sports insomuch as they put their faith in the "adults in the room" to get things right and then after a few years in the league the crushing reality sets in that these "wise elders" don't actually have any idea what they're doing and your faith in them was totally misplaced.

McDavid might be looking at guys like Thornton and Stamkos and is wondering "what's really going on here?". And he would be right to do so.