Evan’s NHL Daily: McDavid MIA, Avalanche Recall Defenseman

It’s been a tough start to the NHL season for the Edmonton Oilers, and it’s about to get even more difficult, because Connor McDavid is going to miss some time due to an injury.

With the Colorado Avalanche, we took a look back at (another) win, and the team recalled a defenseman before heading out East for a road trip. It’s just not the defenseman many expected them to recall.

All that and more in this Monday edition of Evan’s Daily.

Colorado Hockey Now

When you’re 5-0, a lot of things are going right, but one very noticeable thing early in the season has been how well Valeri Nichushkin is moving. This is a very different team when he’s moving the way he has been.

Speaking of difference makers, the Avalanche looked dead lifeless in the second period on Saturday night…until Cale Makar woke everyone up with a big hit. (+)

For access to content like the Turning Point, please consider subscribing. The way things have started for the team, it looks like they could be playing well into June, so there will be lots of good content this year, including exclusive interviews with the players.

Avalanche Recall Defenseman

It’s not a surprise that the Colorado Avalanche recalled a defenseman ahead of their road trip. It’s a mild surprise that they chose who they did.

The Avalanche recalled Corey Schueneman on Sunday, and he’ll travel with the team out East. The 28 year old has played 32 career NHL games, and is likely just coming with the team to be the extra defenseman. As far as I know, everyone is healthy, but since they’re going to be on the East coast, they want an extra body in case of emergency.

It’s a mild surprise that Caleb Jones was not the one recalled, but the team likely wants him playing games with the Colorado Eagles, and continuing to learn the system. If Jones had been recalled, the time in the NHL would have counted towards his waiver eligibility. He will be eligible to go back on waivers if he plays 10 NHL games OR spends 30 days on the Avalanche roster, so they avoid that by keeping him in the AHL.

Around the NHL

The Edmonton Oilers are off to a 1-3-1 start, and it’s about to get a little tougher for them. In their game Saturday evening, Connor McDavid left the in discomfort, and now, he’ll miss 1-2 weeks due to an injury. Do they collapse, or do they come together and figure things out without their Captain? I guess we’ll find out. Keep in mind, the Oilers started a little slow in 2022-23 before figuring things out.

In the long run, they’ll probably be fine, but it is entertaining to watch the panic when a Canadian team with high expectations gets off to a slow start.

National Hockey Now

Safe to say the Alex Debrincat trade is working out early in the year for the Detroit Red Wings.

The Avalanche will face the Pittsburgh Penguins on this road trip, and according to Sidney Crosby, that team has “a lot” to improve after their slow start.

The Boston Bruins pulled out a win in Anaheim, thanks in large part to their 19 year old center Matthew Poitras.

Some early season thoughts on the Chicago Blackhawks.

It sounds like the New Jersey Devils avoided a major injury to their Captain, Nico Hischier.