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Five reasons Edmonton is the worst landing spot for Connor McDavid

Claus Andersen/Gety Images

Claus Andersen/Gety Images

The Edmonton Oilers won the NHL’s draft lottery, giving them the right to draft Connor McDavid, the most heralded prospect since Sidney Crosby, with the first overall pick in June. McDavid had 44 goals and 120 points with the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie (Pa.) Otters this season.

Here are five reasons we are not happy about Edmonton defying the odds – as the 28th-ranked team, they had an 11.5% chance — and likely landing the generational talent.

1 – Another top pick? Not again

At some point, it becomes so common, it’s now boring. The Oilers have now been blessed with four of the past six first-overall picks. What has it gotten them? Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov. In an injury-shortened season, Hall’s goal and point totals dipped to career-low ratios. He had 14 goals and 38 points in 53 games. Nugent-Hopkins recorded a career-best 24 goals and tied his high of 56 points, though his points per 60 minutes remained on par with the previous two seasons. Yakupov has been slow to develop. He had 17 goals and 31 points during his rookie season in lockout-shortened 2012-13. He had 33 points in 81 games this year.

2 – Young talent doesn’t develop here

Aside from Hall, Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle, a 22nd overall pick, and Justin Schultz, a college free agent signing, the Oilers have done a poor job of incorporating young talent into their roster in recent seasons. (Jeff Petry became a solid defenseman, though Edmonton dealt him to the Canadiens after contract talks never gained traction.) For a small-market team that hasn’t been able to lure top free agents, developing youth is even more crucial. McDavid could make the team more attractive to free agents moving forward, however. The Oilers also have done a poor job of surrounding them with complementary players to aid their development, putting the onus on these few high-ceiling young players to carry the franchise.

3 – Losing atmosphere

Marc DesRosiers, USA TODAY Sports

Marc DesRosiers, USA TODAY Sports

Even with all of these high draft picks, the Oilers have not built a consistent winner. They have not reached the playoffs since 2006 and have two winning seasons during that drought. The Oilers have gone through six different coaches during this time frame. It is not a healthy culture for young players, who really do not know how to win at the NHL level. At least management is no longer selling the team’s hype anymore. How many more development years does this team need?

4 – Will McDavid get enough TV exposure?

The Oilers getting McDavid is huge for Sportsnet in Canada. But how about in the USA? NBC Sports Network, NBC or NHL Network didn’t show a single Oilers game this past season, rightfully so because of the team’s struggles and lack of star power. The Oilers’ 9:30 p.m. ET starts aren’t conducive to wide exposure in Eastern markets, but we’re betting the Oilers could be a more popular broadcast choice at least when they’re on an Eastern swing or as part of a Wednesday night doubleheader.

5 – There were more interesting story lines

Perry Nelson, USA TODAY Sports

Perry Nelson, USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo is a supportive hockey market and close to Erie. McDavid (or Jack Eichel, if Buffalo had won) could have been a savior for the Arizona Coyotes. In Toronto, McDavid would have been in the center of the hockey universe. Unless McDavid can help the Oilers become the 1980s Oilers, there’s just not a lot of buzz there.

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