Oilers’ Connor McDavid will not play at world championships

Connor McDavid flew into the post at high speed, slamming his leg and requiring the trainer’s assistance to get off the ice as the Oilers play their final game of the season.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid will not be playing for Team Canada at the upcoming world championships, according to Sportsnet’s John Shannon.

McDavid suffered a leg injury in the Oilers’ season finale against the Calgary Flames on Saturday. McDavid had to leave the game as a result, but team CEO Bob Nicholson said Monday that an MRI on the leg indicated the injury wasn’t as serious as originally feared.

“We can’t go too far in it. We’re still evaluating it, but it’s not as serious as we thought,” he said. “But it’s Connor, it’s an injury, it’s serious for our organization.”

McDavid has played for Canada on the world championship stage twice before, in 2016 and 2018. He’s coming off his third consecutive 100-point campaign and tied a career-high with 41 goals this season.

“We still don’t know too much. Things look fairly positive right now but we haven’t had a picture in there so we’ll see,” McDavid said Sunday. “To be completely honest with you, I thought my leg was in two pieces when I was sitting on the ice.

“But thankfully the bone’s OK, thankfully I was able to get up and with a lot of help I was able to get off.”

The world championships begin May 10 in Bratislava and Kosice, Slovakia.

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