Connor McDavid played through a fracture "around the foot, ankle area," in the playoffs, Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters Saturday during the team's season-ending media availability.
"Playing through a lot of pain," Knoblauch added.
The Oilers were eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, losing to the Anaheim Ducks in six games.
McDavid was listed as a game-time decision for Game 5 of the series but suited up for both that matchup and the series-deciding contest that followed.
This season's Art Ross Trophy winner recorded just one goal and five assists over six playoff outings, finishing with a minus-eight.
Despite the injury, McDavid averaged 23:32 per game.
"It affected their play, but a lot of admiration for them for wanting to be out there and contributing as much as they did during the playoffs," Knoblauch said, noting that Jason Dickinson dealt with a similar injury to McDavid.
Following their disappointing early exit, McDavid described the Oilers as an "average team all year."
Edmonton entered the campaign with high expectations after back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances over the last two years, falling to the Florida Panthers both times.
Speaking to the media Saturday, McDavid echoed the comments of teammate and fellow superstar Leon Draisaitl, saying "the organization as a whole has taken a step back."
"That starts with me. ... We all can be better, and we all need to be better," McDavid added.
Draisaitl, addressing speculation about McDavid's future with the club, stressed the team's urgent need to improve quickly.
"We have to be better, there's no way around it," Draisaitl said. "(McDavid's) signed for two more years. ... We have two years here as of right now. We have to get significantly better."
