
How Wolves Women bounced back from promotion controversy
Wolves Women faced a shocking promotion controversy last season.
Connor McDavid described the Edmonton Oilers as an 'average team' following their first-round playoff exit against the Anaheim Ducks. The Oilers, who previously reached the Stanley Cup Final, faced disappointment after failing to meet high expectations this season.
Mentioned in this story
Connor McDavid calls Oilers 'average team' after season-ending loss to Ducks
The Edmonton Oilers took a step back this season.
After back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final, including a Game 7 loss in 2024, the Oilers are out in the first round, falling to an Anaheim Ducks team that just ended a seven-year playoff drought.
"We were an average team all year," Oilers captain Connor McDavid told reporters after the Game 6 loss in Anaheim. "When you're an average team with high expectations, you're going to be disappointed. We just never found it."
McDavid, who signed a team-friendly, two-year extension to allow the team to build a stronger contender, still drives the team. So does Leon Draisaitl, but both of them were dealing with injuries. Even though the goaltending was changed to Connor Ingram and Tristan Jarry, it didn't get them as far. The penalty kill was the worst in the league in the playoffs.
"We expected to have a longer run than we did. It is what it is," McDavid said.
The NHL is announcing the finalists for the Hart Trophy and the other major awards. Here's who is in the running (listed alphabetically):
Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player) finalist: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini
Connor McDavid labeled the Oilers as an 'average team' due to their inconsistent performance throughout the season, which led to their early playoff exit.
The Edmonton Oilers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Anaheim Ducks, who ended a seven-year playoff drought.
Before this season, the Oilers made back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final, including a Game 7 loss in 2024.
The Oilers had high expectations this season after their recent success but ultimately fell short, leading to disappointment among players and fans.

Wolves Women faced a shocking promotion controversy last season.
Pep Guardiola is reportedly a dream target for the Italy national team coaching position.
Eddie Howe gives team news on Gordon and Joelinton before facing Brighton
Millwall's De Norre excited about Premier League promotion hopes!
Arne Slot updates on Alisson Becker's injury status before Liverpool's clash with Man United.
Real Madrid faces pressure as Benfica moves to secure Mourinho amid coaching search.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Ted Lindsay finalist: Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov
Ted Lindsay finalist: Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid
Masterton Trophy (perseverance) nominee: Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ville Husso
Masterton nominee: Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy
Masterton nominee: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin
Masterton nominee: Calgary Flames goaltender Devin Cooley
Masterton nominee: Carolina Hurricanes left wing Taylor Hall
Masterton nominee: Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight
Masterton nominee: Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog
Masterton nominee: Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner
Masterton nominee: Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn
Masterton nominee: Detroit Red Wings right wing Dominik Shine
Masterton nominee: Edmonton Oilers goalie Connor Ingram
Masterton nominee: Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand
Masterton nominee: Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar
Masterton nominee: Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt
Masterton nominee: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson
Masterton nominee: Nashville Predators right wing Ozzy Wiesblatt
Masterton nominee: New Jersey Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon
Masterton nominee: New York Islanders center Kyle Palmieri
Masterton nominee: New York Rangers defenseman Matthew Robertson
Masterton nominee: Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark
Masterton nominee: Philadelphia Flyers left wing Garrett Wilson
Masterton nominee: Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Anthony Mantha
Masterton nominee: St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington
Masterton nominee: San Jose Sharks goalie Laurent Brossoit
Masterton nominee: Seattle Kraken right wing Jordan Eberle
Masterton nominee: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh
Masterton nominee: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Masterton nominee: Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller
Masterton nominee: Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen
Masterton nominee: Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Akira Schmid
Masterton nominee: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin
Masterton nominee: Winnipeg Jets center Jonathan Toews
1 / 36
The NHL is announcing the finalists for the Hart Trophy and the other major awards. Here's who is in the running (listed alphabetically):
1 / 36
The NHL is announcing the finalists for the Hart Trophy and the other major awards. Here's who is in the running (listed alphabetically):
2 / 36
Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player) finalist: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini
3 / 36
Ted Lindsay finalist: Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov
4 / 36
Ted Lindsay finalist: Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid
5 / 36
Masterton Trophy (perseverance) nominee: Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ville Husso
6 / 36
Masterton nominee: Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy
7 / 36
Masterton nominee: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin
8 / 36
Masterton nominee: Calgary Flames goaltender Devin Cooley
9 / 36
Masterton nominee: Carolina Hurricanes left wing Taylor Hall
10 / 36
Masterton nominee: Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight
11 / 36
Masterton nominee: Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog
12 / 36
Masterton nominee: Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner
13 / 36
Masterton nominee: Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn
14 / 36
Masterton nominee: Detroit Red Wings right wing Dominik Shine
15 / 36
Masterton nominee: Edmonton Oilers goalie Connor Ingram
16 / 36
Masterton nominee: Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand
17 / 36
Masterton nominee: Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar
18 / 36
Masterton nominee: Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt
19 / 36
Masterton nominee: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson
20 / 36
Masterton nominee: Nashville Predators right wing Ozzy Wiesblatt
21 / 36
Masterton nominee: New Jersey Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon
22 / 36
Masterton nominee: New York Islanders center Kyle Palmieri
23 / 36
Masterton nominee: New York Rangers defenseman Matthew Robertson
24 / 36
Masterton nominee: Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark
25 / 36
Masterton nominee: Philadelphia Flyers left wing Garrett Wilson
26 / 36
Masterton nominee: Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Anthony Mantha
27 / 36
Masterton nominee: St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington
28 / 36
Masterton nominee: San Jose Sharks goalie Laurent Brossoit
29 / 36
Masterton nominee: Seattle Kraken right wing Jordan Eberle
30 / 36
Masterton nominee: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh
31 / 36
Masterton nominee: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson
32 / 36
Masterton nominee: Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller
33 / 36
Masterton nominee: Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen
34 / 36
Masterton nominee: Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Akira Schmid
35 / 36
Masterton nominee: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin
36 / 36
Masterton nominee: Winnipeg Jets center Jonathan Toews
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast**.** Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Connor McDavid after Oilers loss to Ducks: 'We were an average team'