McDavid: Oilers wouldn't have competitive edge if Edmonton hosted games

Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid doesn't believe his club would gain a competitive advantage playing in its own building if the city is chosen as one of the NHL's hub locations.

"I would say probably not," McDavid said Thursday in an interview with Sportsnet. "It's going to feel weird in that building no matter where you play, no matter if you've played there 100 times, no matter if you've never played there.

"The building's gonna feel weird, just with no fans being in there and whatnot, so I would say probably not, but that's just my opinion."

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced the league's 24-team playoff format Tuesday. Teams will be split into two hub cities, with Edmonton being one of the 10 candidates under consideration.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league would prefer having a Canadian city serve as a host site, but added that the country's 14-day self-isolation order for all individuals entering the country could prevent that.

Alberta premier Jason Kenney asked Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday to remove coronavirus-related travel restrictions so that Edmonton can become a hub city when the NHL resumes play.

The Oilers owned a 17-11-6 record at Rogers Place this season. The club is slated to take on the Chicago Blackhawks in the best-of-five qualifying round.