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Jon Cooper weighs in on McDavid's scrutinized Edmonton Oilers comments

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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Mar 25 2026, 7:58 pm
Jon Cooper weighs in on McDavid's scrutinized Edmonton Oilers comments
Rob Gray/Imagn Images | James Guillory/Imagn Images

Jon Cooper doesn’t believe Edmonton Oilers fans need to worry about comments from an agitated Connor McDavid over the weekend.

The 2025-26 season has been an inconsistent mess for the Oilers, who, despite sitting second in the Pacific Division, own a disappointing 35-28-9 record.

Frustration from their trying season boiled over for McDavid following a 5-2 loss to Cooper and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night, resulting in comments that some perceived as a shot at head coach Kris Knoblauch.

McDavid mentioned on several occasions that the Lightning were very “well rehearsed” and “well coached.” When asked how the Oilers could become that well-organized, his response drew plenty of attention.

“That’s a coaching question. You can ask Knobber that question.”

McDavid has since implied that his comments weren’t meant as a shot at anybody, but more so frustration over the way things have gone at times this season. Cooper, speaking with TNT on Tuesday night, seemed to believe the exact same.

“When you’re in front of a microphone as much as Connor McDavid is in front of a microphone, stuff gets picked apart,” Cooper explained.

Cooper, who has coached McDavid at both the 4 Nations Face-Off and the 2026 Winter Olympics, made it clear that the 29-year-old remains committed to winning in Edmonton.

“I’ll tell ya this. He loves Edmonton. He loves playing there. The stuff we talked about at the Olympics, they’re going to try and make another run. It hurts that the other big boy is out for a bit, but I think when he comes back, that team’s got all the makings.”

The frustration the Oilers have been feeling eased at least slightly on Tuesday, as they were able to pick up a big 5-2 win over the Utah Mammoth, one which saw McDavid hit 400 goals and 1,200 points. They’ll look to keep things rolling on Thursday in a massive division tilt against the Vegas Golden Knights.

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