Are McDavid/Drai a winger/centre hydrid?

[daver]

Do they essentially split the C/W duties?

It looks like Drai takes the majority of the faceoffs, does he also take on the C duties in the defensive zone?

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[Paul4587]

Every time I watch McDavid play it seems like he plays more like a winger than a C. His faceoff percentage is also horrible and Drai takes more of the important draws.

That said even if he moved to wing permanently he’s still by far the best player on Earth. He definitely has work to do on his defensive game though.

 

[MattySnipes]

It's definitely interesting to see how they're being used. The coach is doing what he's got to do to get wins. He's playing his horses hard. Drai played 27ish mins against CHI. Can't really blame Tippett tbh. But giving credit to the Oil, they have played a better team game thus far than years past.

It also doesn't hurt that Drai is something else so far, imo he's been better than McDavid (pre 5-point game) which is scary because once 97 gets going (like he showed tonight) the rest of the league doesn't have much hope.

If these two (highly likely) and Neal keep it up, get solid goaltending from both Smitty/Koskinen, and have a decent defense they can put up a fight for a playoff spot for sure.

 

[Saltcreek]

Do they essentially split the C/W duties?

It looks like Drai takes the majority of the faceoffs, does he also take on the C duties in the defensive zone?

He will take defensive zone faceoffs too and it utilised more on the pk (I think). They basically split the C/W role as required.

 

[HockeyDBspecialist]

Every time I watch McDavid play it seems like he plays more like a winger than a C. His faceoff percentage is also horrible and Drai takes more of the important draws.

That said even if he moved to wing permanently he’s still by far the best player on Earth. He definitely has work to do on his defensive game though.

Mcdavid is a weird case, he's a true winger in his skills and won't be ever able to defend like centers like Barkov, Bergeron, Crosby

Why don't you put him on drai's wing ?

 

[Ctrain2k]

Yes, they share centre duties. Pretty much whoever’s backchecks first plays centre on that particular play, they’re constantly interchanging all duties all over the ice and whoever is closest takes that particular duty.

They’re only able to do this because they’re 2 elite 200 foot players with chemistry and hockey IQ through the roof.

 

[Bank Shot]

Mcdavid is a weird case, he's a true winger in his skills and won't be ever able to defend like centers like Barkov, Bergeron, Crosby

Why not?

He has all the required skills to be an amazing defender. Speed, size, brains, skill.

He is more offensively focused ATM like most young players, but if he wanted to be a Selke winner, I don't see why he wouldn't be able to get into that conversation.

 

[HockeyDBspecialist]

Why not?

He has all the required skills to be an amazing defender. Speed, size, brains, skill.

He is more offensively focused ATM like most young players, but if he wanted to be a Selke winner, I don't see why he wouldn't be able to get into that conversation.

Your definitely right, time will tell if he matures like Crosby did when he wanted the Maurice richard

 

[guzzy]

Do they essentially split the C/W duties?

It looks like Drai takes the majority of the faceoffs, does he also take on the C duties in the defensive zone?

 

[Saltcreek]

Yes, they share centre duties. Pretty much whoever’s backchecks first plays centre on that particular play, they’re constantly interchanging all duties all over the ice and whoever is closest takes that particular duty.

They’re only able to do this because they’re 2 elite 200 foot players with chemistry and hockey IQ through the roof.

Makes it harder to defend against when they keep swapping positions.

 

[Todd from Leduc]

They are literally both the best at both positions in the entire league, we are so lucky in edmonton.

 

[Bonzo111]

they're just great hockey players

PERIOD

 

[buud]

Not so sure if 'this' is a case of players being a certain way. I'm more likely to believe that it is the coaching philosophy that is the root of this style of play.

One of my best coaches taught us to play efficiently, which meant assuming any role that is necessary, given the changing circumstances.

Everyone was expected to be part of both offence and defence, and move together as a unit. Learn how to cover for each other. Communicate. I think it's a great philosophy, and we had pretty good success, for a bunch of scrubs.

No doubt, their high hockey IQ makes it easier for them to adapt to any scenario, but I get the feeling that that their success (both them and the team), is more related to a coaching philosophy, and ALL the players buying in.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Mcdavid is a weird case, he's a true winger in his skills and won't be ever able to defend like centers like Barkov, Bergeron, Crosby

Why don't you put him on drai's wing ?

Because you want his decision-making and puck distribution in the middle of the ice. Pretty common sense.

 

[Ctrain2k]

Not so sure if 'this' is a case of players being a certain way. I'm more likely to believe that it is the coaching philosophy that is the root of this style of play.

One of my best coaches taught us to play efficiently, which meant assuming any role that is necessary, given the changing circumstances.

Everyone was expected to be part of both offence and defence, and move together as a unit. Learn how to cover for each other. Communicate. I think it's a great philosophy, and we had pretty good success, for a bunch of scrubs.

No doubt, their high hockey IQ makes it easier for them to adapt to any scenario, but I get the feeling that that their success (both them and the team), is more related to a coaching philosophy, and ALL the players buying in.

They played like this last year too, nothing new.

 

[ElysiumAB]

His faceoff percentage is also horrible and Drai takes more of the important draws.

50% is not horrible.

 

[Puckluck13]

What amazes me about McDavid is his speed without the puck. When he is trying to score he looks like pavel bure on drugs but when he doesn't have the puck and is trying to defend he looks like milan lucic.

 

[Paul4587]

50% is not horrible.

he’s never been 50% in his career. Apart from this year which is an incredibly small sample his best year was around 46%.

 

[Cup or Bust]

No matter what position either plays they dominate the game regardless.

 

[Snowpants]

What amazes me about McDavid is his speed without the puck. When he is trying to score he looks like pavel bure on drugs but when he doesn't have the puck and is trying to defend he looks like milan lucic.

I will take this as compliment since so many Flame fans here are saying Lucic is a positive difference maker this year...

 

[Coffey]

I will take this as compliment since so many Flame fans here are saying Lucic is a positive difference maker this year...

Imagine believing that Connor doesn't backcheck.

 

[snipes]

They can both play C/W during the same shift multiple times.

It’s kind of situational and depends who is first on the backcheck. In some respects I almost think Drai is more of the centre in the defensive zone and neutral zone and McDavid more of the centre in the offensive zone.

Just two of the best players in the league no matter where you put them. I’m fairly certain Drai could be a top 10 D man if he put the time in.

 

[MoistDadBod]

...His faceoff percentage is also horrible...

50.8% is horrible now?

 

[Paul4587]

50.8% is horrible now?

If he can actually maintain that then no but faceoff percentage is something that needs a far larger sample size than 7 games to determine what his actual abilities there are.

Edit: he’s at 49.1% as per hockey reference. No idea where your figure comes from.

 

[ElysiumAB]

If he can actually maintain that then no but faceoff percentage is something that needs a far larger sample size than 7 games to determine what his actual abilities there are.

Edit: he’s at 49.1% as per hockey reference. No idea where your figure comes from.

You mention too small of a sample size, then object to his % being 1.7% higher than the one you're seeing. Literally 1 face off difference.

Everywhere I've seen says 50.8%