Oilers star Connor McDavid tests positive for COVID-19

The Edmonton Oilers announced that star center Connor McDavid tested positive for COVID-19.

Earlier this week, the NHL‘s bubble environment in Canada reached its conclusion, as the Tampa Bay Lightning hoisted the Stanley Cup after a six-game series against the Dallas Stars. Plenty of credit needs to be given to the NHL, as they went a full nine weeks without a positive COVID-19 test result while playing out their season during the ongoing global pandemic. However, the league and the rest of the world learned that this virus is still spreading.

On Monday evening, the Edmonton Oilers announced that star center Connor McDavid tested positive for COVID-19. McDavid is experiencing mild symptoms but is “feeling well.” He’s voluntarily entered self-quarantine and will follow the appropriate protocols.

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It’s good to hear that McDavid is experiencing only mild symptoms of the coronavirus thus far, but we’ll have to see how he does in the coming days, given the incubation period.

McDavid had a brief stay in the Edmonton bubble for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Oilers didn’t qualify for the Western Conference round robin and instead had to participate in the play-in round as the fifth-seed. The Oilers didn’t last long in the enclosed environment on their home turf, as they were defeated in four games in their best-of-five series against the No. 12 ranked Chicago Blackhawks. During that series, McDavid scored five goals and dished out four assists, putting the team on his back.

In 64 regular-season games prior to the coronavirus pandemic hitting North America, McDavid tallied 97 points (34 goals and 63 assists).

McDavid should be good to go for next season (whenever that is) as long as he follows the specified protocol and receives negative test results. Until then, the Oilers will look to give McDavid help in the NHL Draft (Oct. 6-7) and the start of free agency later on in the week (Friday, Oct. 9), with the hopes of reaching the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006.