McDavid concerned about safety, not Oilers playoff position, during pause

Connor McDavid said the Edmonton Oilers' resurgence is not the biggest thing on his mind with the NHL season paused due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.

"There's lots more important stuff going on, and the health and safety of everyone is what's important," the Oilers captain said during a video call arranged by the NHL on Friday. "Hockey can go on hold for a little bit. I shouldn't say [it's] frustrating, it's just disappointing when the team's having a good year and in a [Stanley Cup] Playoff hunt and lots of good stuff [is] going on.
"Again, it's important that everyone does what they have to do and take care of each other ... and we can get this thing over with so we can get back to playing hockey."
The Oilers (37-25-9) are second in the Pacific Division, three points behind the first-place Vegas Golden Knights. Edmonton is in position to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2017 and the second time since 2006.
McDavid said he's been concerned with health care workers and others on the front lines dealing with the pandemic, and he's been mindful of following their advice.
"[I want to thank] those that are putting themselves at such a risk to take care of everyone, and make sure that we're all safe and healthy," McDavid said. "What they're doing is amazing and the numbers that they're dealing with are crazy, and they're doing a great job. So obviously a big thanks to those people.
"To the fans ... we're missing the game, we're missing playing in front of you guys. But the better we do this part, stay at home and social distance, then the quicker we'll get through this. So make sure we're all doing our part, we're taking care of each other and we'll get out of this soon. Just hope everyone's staying safe."
If the season is able to resume, McDavid said he'd prefer that the remainder of the regular season be played. Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin said Thursday that they were in favor of going straight to the playoffs.
"Obviously you want a fair season, and a fair season is a full season," McDavid said. "If we can do that, then that's obviously what we'd prefer. I don't think we can just step into [the] playoffs and Game 1, Calgary comes to Edmonton and guys [are] just running around and killing each other and haven't played a game in two months. ... We want to keep guys healthy and we want to make sure that everyone is up and ready to play some playoff hockey."

During the pause that began March 12, McDavid has stayed in Edmonton rather than travel to his family's home in Toronto.
"I thought it was probably the best choice," he said. "I didn't want to travel through the airport and maybe bring it back home to my family, parents, grandparents and all that. I thought it would be safe to just stay put for the time being."
McDavid, who was voted the Hart Trophy winner as NHL MVP in 2016-2017 and won the Art Ross Trophy as the League points leader in 2016-17 and 2017-18, has 97 points (34 goals, 63 assists) in 64 games this season. The center is second in the NHL scoring to teammate Leon Draisaitl, who has 110 points (43 goals, 67 assists).
Having just moved into a new home in Edmonton, McDavid said he's had enough to do and has taken advantage of his earlier decision to have a gym installed.
"Some [teammates] were giving me a hard time, like, 'What's the point of putting in a gym in your house with the rink right there?'" McDavid said. "But now thankfully, luckily I did, and I have the option to work out here. But obviously it's tough. We don't know what's going to happen with the season. Obviously we're hopeful it's going to come back and we'll be able to continue where we left off.
"We're doing everything we can to stay ready to go."
His workouts have occasionally included meeting up with teammate Darnell Nurse and going for a run in the neighborhood.
"We keep our 6-feet distance," McDavid said. "We don't get any closer than that, but we can still get outside and go for a run. It's not exactly Arizona (weather) here yet, but it's warming up so we can get outside and get a little bit of a workout in."
McDavid said he and other players whose personal trainer is former NHL forward Gary Roberts are discussing starting an online workout regimen. He said it would be a way to help stay in shape and be as prepared as possible for when team activities might begin.
McDavid said his workouts are unrelated to tearing the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee April 6 in Edmonton's final game last season.
"I'm 100 percent healthy now," he said. "There's nothing they really need to do for it. I'm obviously trying to keep my whole body in shape and keep myself ready to go when we get back to playing. It doesn't change it at all."