Edmonton fans cheer draft lottery win, but take a cautious attitude
On Saturday night, the Edmonton Oilers won the National Hockey League’s draft lottery, parlaying an 11.5 per cent chance into an opportunity to draft a player who is being touted as the game’s next superstar in Erie Otters centre Connor McDavid. Fans rejoiced on various social media outlets about the chance to draft an elite level talent to an organization that is far removed from its glory days in the 1980s. Still, after nine straight years without playoff hockey and a bottom three pick in five of the last six years, the vibe on that street was still overtly cynical.
“I think we’ve been amazingly lucky to have won this many lotteries, especially this one. It’s not often that you get the chance to immediately improve your team with a generational talent. McDavid can’t take this team to the Cup all on his own, but he instantly improves the forwards and maybe opens up some trade possibilities. All in all, it’s a monumental day for the organization, as well as the city.” Adam Hundert, Edmonton
“Good for the city that they might have a chance at someone like that, but hopefully they won’t screw it up like they did the rest. I don’t think forward is their main concern, defence and goalie should be primary. They’re getting a little top heavy.” Scott Olson, Edmonton
“I’m just sick of hearing the word ‘rebuild.’ It’s been too long. Look back at the last six years, we got the first-overall pick four times. How have we done? Not very well. I’m just a little apprehensive, but I don’t want to be a pessimist, either. It’s a make or break for the franchise, I think, but it’s hard to climb out of a hole that big. McDavid seems like a humble guy, but you get to a point where you know you’re good and where he deserves to go, and I think he deserves more than what Edmonton can give him right now.” Danika McConnell, Glaslyn, Sask.
“It’s great, maybe we’ll have two centres ... two lines now and it will take pressure of the first line. I think people are excited. Maybe we’ll finally be good and make the playoffs. I cant see that happening, but you never know with MacTavish ...” Scott Fletcher, Edmonton
“It’s lucky and that’s all you need. When it comes to the draft, it’s luck. They just keep losing — it’s not fun, is it? If the team does good, you’re into hockey and the city is in a mood, but they keep losing and it doesn’t make you want to watch.” Stefan Morlar, Edmonton
“To be honest, we’ve had a ton of first overall picks, and sure, they were rated highly and are good players, but they’re not McDavid. I’m not saying we’re going to win next year, but I think McDavid’s a different person entirely than your Yakupovs and Halls.
Hopefully, what Calgary did this year is what we can do with him, basing our team around McDavid, but better. I think (Hockey Night in Canada host) George Stroumboulopoulos had a hard time making conversation with him because he seemed so severely depressed about the whole thing.” Mike Davis, Edmonton
“Well, they haven’t done much with (the first overall picks) recently, so I didn’t think too much of it.
I thought is was very interesting for them to get lucky so many years in a row.
But he’s ( McDavid) a special player, that’s for sure.” Dan Morberg , Calgary
“I’m happy for fans because they will finally have someone to cheer for, but it’s gonna keep people in management from getting fired when they should have been forever ago.” Scott MacAulay, Saskatoon