For Connor McDavid and the NHL players of his generation, the Olympics were a dream and a distant bell until this week in Milan. The league sat out the Winter Games in 2018 and 2022 for various reasons, robbing most of the league’s players the opportunity to compete for their nation at the highest level.

So, when McDavid lined up as the No. 3 centre for Canada against the Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, on Thursday, Edmonton Oilers fans might have been worked up about his spot on the depth chart, but the Edmonton captain looked as if he’d been shot out of a cannon. He had an early clean but heavy hit, drew a penalty that led to the first power play for the Canadians and picked up an assist on the first Canada goal late in the initial period. By game’s end, McDavid had three assists, six shots on goal and a tidy plus-2 goal differential at even strength. The time on ice (18:04) led Canada’s forwards in the 5-0 win, and he used all of his time effectively.

Canadian fans loved the team’s effort. Many social media posts from fans in other Canadian NHL teams talked about finally getting a chance to cheer for McDavid in an international event.

The opening game of the round robin doesn’t mean a lot for a powerhouse team such as Canada — as long as it’s a win — but Oilers fans were thrilled to see McDavid perform so well in his first Olympic game.

McDavid’s line

The coaching staff shuffled at will, but McDavid began the game with wingers Macklin Celebrini and Tom Wilson. Celebrini scored the first goal of the game (also the winner), and Wilson made his presence known with thunderous hits. McDavid found ice time with many of the team’s wingers, including a dandy sequence with Brandon Hagel in which McDavid had two glorious chances to score his first goal of his Olympic career.

Team Canada rolled lines democratically and ran a ridiculous power play whenever possible. One of McDavid’s points came when he took a pass from Sidney Crosby and sent the puck to Nathan MacKinnon, who tapped in what instantly qualified as an iconic goal — one that should be remembered for a long time.

Can the Oilers learn anything? 

Unless there is a way to pry one of the other brilliant forwards from their NHL current team, the Olympics will serve as a break from the grind and perhaps inspire the Oilers’ Olympians. One thing that can be said about the game versus Czechia: Edmonton’s captain thrives with skill, and it’s vital to keep his line fresh with quality players.

Back home in Edmonton, he plays with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman, and that unit has been highly successful. A physical winger, similar to Leon Draisaitl’s Edmonton linemates (Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen) wouldn’t go amiss and could be a deadline target for general manager Stan Bowman. The current No. 1 line should see plenty of playoff deployment, but a fresh look from time to time (especially if Nugent-Hopkins lands as the third-line centre after the break) would be an astute addition. The question for Bowman: What asset would bring that kind of player to Edmonton?

Draisaitl’s Olympic debut

Draisaitl scored a goal and added an assist as Germany defeated Denmark 3-1 on Thursday in its first game. Draisaitl played 21:46 and had three shots on net. Oilers rookie Josh Samanski is also on the German team and played a surprising 21:23. His ice time ranked second behind Draisaitl’s among the team’s forwards.

Oilers at home

The Oilers who aren’t at the Olympics or in the AHL with the Bakersfield Condors are on a break. No trades can take place until Feb. 22. With the trade deadline scheduled for March 6, there is already urgency for NHL teams with Stanley Cup hopes to be ready to make a deal soon. Oilers not involved in the Olympics can practice beginning Tuesday, and the schedule resumes for Edmonton on Feb. 25 on the road to the Anaheim Ducks.

As the trade deadline approaches, Bakersfield could experience significant player movement. If management makes a trade, there’s a chance one or more of the young Condors could be heading out of the organization.

Ike Howard would be the obvious ask from opposition teams; his performance this season in the minors rivals the all-time best numbers for rookie forwards in Edmonton’s system all the way back to 1979:

PlayerYearPts-Game

Miro Satan

1994-95

1.6

Ike Howard

2025-26

1.36

Shawn Horcoff

2000-01

1.17

Steven Rice

1991-92

1.16

Cooper Marody

2018-19

1.1

Quinn Hutson

2025-26

1.05

Tyler Benson

2018-19

0.97

Dan Curris

1988-89

0.84

Matthew Savoie

2024-25

0.82

Esa Tikkanen

1985-96

0.81

Howard and Quinn Hutson are on an impressive points-per-game pace this season, and both appear to have a future in the NHL. For the Oilers, it may not be possible to deploy both on the current roster. Matthew Savoie is in his rookie season, and Samanski is currently establishing himself as an NHL option. All of Howard, Hutson and Savoie are undersized, and that may mean one of the three will be moved along at the deadline for a bigger, older winger.

Bottom line

Oilers fans had plenty to cheer about, as McDavid and Draisaitl headlined victories for Canada and Germany.

On the trade front, expectations of a big move are rising among fans, with questions about quality of player, cap issues and the price for any major move all part of the conversation.

Howard remains a player of interest in Edmonton, either as a plug-and-play scoring option or a key piece in a deadline deal. No matter what happens, fans should prepare for loud noises after the Olympic break.