"He's not good enough": Connor McDavid’s frustration sparks debate over his leadership as Oilers struggle

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Mar 14, 2025, 11:40 IST

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Connor McDavid, captain of the Edmonton Oilers, is facing criticism from fans after showing frustration during a loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Fans are questioning his leadership, blaming poor team direction and netminding. Some fans also criticize head coach Kris Knoblauch for not calling a timeout. The Oilers are preparing to face the New Jersey Devils next.

"He's not good enough": Connor McDavid’s frustration sparks debate over his leadership as Oilers struggle

Image via David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Connor McDavid, the captain of the Edmonton Oilers, has been going through a pretty tough time ever since he returned from the 4 Nations Face Off where Team Canada had won. The Edmonton Oilers have recently lost to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, and now fans are stressed. Recently, a video of Connor McDavid went viral as his team witnessed the win of the Buffalo Sabres, and fans have a lot to say about the star player.

Connor McDavid Appears Frustrated As The Edmonton Oilers Lose Against The Buffalo Sabres, And Fans Blame His “Leadership”

A video of Connor McDavid appearing frustrated and swinging his arms out, as if to yell at someone, has now gone viral. The caption of the viral video reads as, “Here's a frustrated and fed up Connor McDavid realizing his goaltending isn't good enough. #LetsGoOilers”, and fans have a lot to say about his behaviour.

A fan commented, “I mean the oilers tantrums from their stars show how poor the leadership actually is….”, while another fan wrote, “There are obvious problems in the dressing room . A rudderless leader , no direction and shoddy netminding… not a recipe for a championship”.

A third fan wrote, “He's not good enough”, while another user wrote, “That’s the void in leadership the team has had for a decade. He needs to be shown how to lead and the oilers still don’t get that. He might be Mcjesus but he is human”.

However, many fans have also blamed the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, Kris Knoblauch, for Connor McDavid’s frustration since Kris chose not to call a timeout during the final minutes of the match.
This led to the Edmonton Oilers to draw up a play and avoid losing against the Buffalo Sabres. A fan blaming Kris Knoblauch wrote, “I think that’s more because bouch was a bozo right at the end of the game AND was the cause of the 3rd goal”.
The Edmonton Oilers are now gearing up for a match against the New Jersey Devils but fans have cast a doubt on Connor McDavid’s leadership skills. The star player is yet to issue a statement about this but he has spoken about finding it difficult to adjust to the regular NHL season after playing at the 4 Nations Face Off.
Connor McDavid is yet to issue a statement on his reaction.
Also Read: Connor McDavid's wife Lauren Kyle shares intimate and heartfelt memories from their wedding day as she continues to support him through tough times

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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