TALKING POINTS: McDavid discusses NHL Awards, officiating and Olympics

EDMONTON, AB - Unmatched, undisputed and unanimous.
Connor McDavid's historic 105-point season was certainly deserving of the Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award.
The Oilers Captain won his second career Hart Trophy during the NHL Awards on Wednesday, given "to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team," as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. The Ontario product joined Wayne Gretzky as the second unanimous Hart selection in the Trophy's 97-year history.
It was the third time in McDavid's career that he earned the Ted Lindsay Award, presented "to the most outstanding player in the NHL," as voted by fellow members of the National Hockey League Players' Association.
The 24-year-old expressed his gratitude for the achievements and offered his perspective on a range of additional topics, including National Hockey League officiating, the upcoming Winter Olympics and more. Read or watch it all below.

Connor McDavid's opening statement on winning the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award:

"One is voted by the players and the other one by the writers. I'll start with the Ted Lindsay Award and being voted by the players. Being recognized by them, obviously, means a ton. To be able to win this award three times now is so humbling. I'm very grateful to the players for voting for me and recognizing me that way.
"For the writers, too, to have voted me for the Hart, that's a prestigious one. That one is so special. For the writers to recognize me, it means a lot to me. It's hard to distinguish between the two of them but I'm very grateful."

On setting historic internal goals, like achieving 100 points in 56 games, during the season then reflecting on them after:

"It's a good question. It was something that was talked about a lot throughout the year and something I was asked about a lot. I was giving my honest answer. I was not worried about it. I was worried about winning games and playing the best hockey I could play.
"I think there was a stretch there going in out of COVID breaks and we kind of got stalled a bit, so it was tough to think about. As we got back in the swing of things and the team was playing very well, it crosses your mind.
"It was a special season for the Oilers to finish second in the division and, obviously, we came up short in the playoffs. It was a special season to be feeling so good, to be able to stay healthy and to play at a high level. It was definitely lots of fun."

On Ryan Nugent-Hopkins signing an eight-year extension with the Oilers:

"Nuge is a guy that's so important, not only on the ice but in the locker room as well, and a guy that I've become very close with. To see him lock in that eight years, it's exciting. That's a statement by him to want to be in Edmonton forever and play out his career as an Oiler. It says a lot about him as a guy, what he feels about the city and what he feels about our group."

On whether NHL officiating should be more consistent in the playoffs:

"I think you have to perform under any circumstances. The refs have such a tough job to do. The game is so quick and things happen so fast, it's hard for them sometimes to see. You do wish maybe there was a little more consistency and that's what we're looking for as players. That's what everyone wants: consistency throughout. The other sports have been able to do that from the regular season to playoffs. The refs have such a hard job and I have a lot of respect for them."

On being the only other unanimous Hart Trophy winner, alongside Wayne Gretzky:

"It's just special to win the award. I've been able to do it twice now and it's equally sweet, I would say. It's just a little feather in the cap to do it unanimously. Any time you're in the same breath as Wayne Gretzky, you're doing something right. I appreciate the writers for doing it that way and I'm just honoured to win the award."

On the importance of the off-season, which leads to a strong regular season:

"The off-season is so important. Just to find ways to grow your game and better your game and to come back in great shape. It's just an opportunity to grow and focus on different things. This off-season is no different."

On the potential to be heading to the Winter Olympics:

"I think when we signed out last CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement), players were really pushing for a commitment from the League to allow us to go to the Olympics. My understanding is we got that commitment and the league was going to do everything in their power. As players, we're expecting to go. We're expecting the League to make that happen.
"For me, I've never been before, and I'm fully planning on going if I'm lucky enough to make the team and represent my country at the Olympics. It would be so special. As players, we're under the impression that the League was going to do everything in their power and that we will be going. Sounds like it's kind of going back a little bit but I'm sure they'll find a way to get it done."

On last season affecting this summer's training:

"It just makes guys push harder. Having a shortened off-season is good for guys. It was stop-and-go for a while and I think guys just want to play games. It's a chance for guys to get a little rest, better themselves as much as they can in this short period of time and make sure they're ready to go when the puck drops, hopefully, in October."

On COVID impacting everything the past year and how it might change the game of hockey going forward:

"COVID has affected everybody. Hockey players, myself included. This year, staying in our own little bubbles and not being out in the real world and just focusing on hockey, there were a lot of sacrifices made for the guys that were playing.
"For the real world, it was a lot greater than that. It's affected everybody and everyone's done a great job of trying to beat this thing. As for if the real world will go back to normal, I certainly hope so. I get the impression that people are wanting to go back to normal life but only time will tell there."