LAS VEGAS — Todd McLellan doesn’t do predictions. He doesn’t even bother with expectations.
So, when the season began, the Edmonton Oilers head coach didn’t foresee Connor McDavid leading the entire NHL with 100 points or Auston Matthews tying for second in goals with 40.
At the same time, after watching both players perform their magic at the World Cup of Hockey, he wasn’t exactly surprised.
“I think that event was a great stepping stone or entrée for all of those young players,” said McLellan, who ran the bench for Team North America.
“They entered the regular season with a tremendous amount of confidence.