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Oilers GM sets 40-point bar for Connor McDavid's rookie season

Ken Andersen / NHLPA - The Players Collection / Getty

Peter Chiarelli doesn't want to put any undue pressure on Connor McDavid.

In an extensive interview with TSN's Bob McKenzie, the Edmonton Oilers general manager talked about realistic expectations for the prodigious rookie in his first year of NHL action.

McKenzie cited players like Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby - who topped 100 points as rookies - to compare to, but acknowledged the game has changed to the point where no player topped 90 points last season.

As far as what would be a successful debut for McDavid, Chiarelli sets the bar very, very low:

McKenzie: Is there a realistic number for him, an over/under that you want to take? Is it 60, is it 65, is it 70 (points)?

Chiarelli: Well, I don't want to put any numbers on him. Let's say 20 and 40. That would be really good. To score in this league requires a lot of skill, it requires a lot of acumen, strength. He's got a lot of those things and he's going to develop a lot of those things, so let's call it 20 and 40.

McKenzie: A good season for Connor McDavid would be 20 goals and 60 points. Can we put you down for ...

Chiarelli: No, no. 20 goals, 40 points (laughs).

McKenzie said one would have to take the over on that, and Chiarelli conceded he might be underselling McDavid just a touch.

40 points, in fact, would likely be viewed as a massive disappointment, considering defenseman John Klingberg hit that mark in only 65 games as a rookie last season, while Mark Stone and Johnny Gaudreau shared the points lead with 64.

The smile on Chiarelli's face revealed how conservative his expectations are for McDavid, and a point per game average for the phenom is certainly not out of the question.

The GM, however, knows all eyes will be on McDavid this season, and he's doing his part to dim the spotlight that shines on him.

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