Reassuring news for Connor McDavid amidst heartbreak

On Wednesday, two days after the Edmonton Oilers loss the Stanley Cup in seven games to the Florida Panthers, head coach Kris Knoblauch informed media that his captain Connor McDavid was playing through an abdominal injury. When the news first came out, it was said that the Oilers superstar would require surgery.

However on Thursday, Oilers insider Ryan Rishaug for TSN reported that McDavid will not have to go under the knife and will be ready for training camp in September.

This is probably the first good piece of news McDavid has received since he lost the chance to hoist the Stanley Cup in Florida. He was still awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for most valuable player during the playoffs despite playing for the losing team. However, McDavid did not come out onto the ice to accept the Conn Smythe trophy on Monday night on Florida ice.

When asked about his feelings in the post-game presser of the Finals on Monday night, McDavid could only say that “it sucks.” He was however visibly emotional and would have most likely traded in his Conn Smythe Trophy for the Stanley Cup in a heartbeat.

When he met with media on Wednesday in the same exit interview in which it was revealed that he had sustained a serious injury, McDavid made the heartbreaking admission that he really thought this year was going to be different, that his team was going to win the championship.

“The belief has never been higher.”

It’s been tough to see that McDavid had the intense belief that he and his teammates were going to head back home, partying with the Stanley Cup, but amidst this heartbreak that will most likely sting all summer long, there is the good news that no surgery is needed.