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NHL fans rally behind Shakir Mukhamadullin after Oilers’ Connor McDavid incident
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- NHL fans rally behind Shakir Mukhamadullin after Oilers’ Connor McDavid incident
Connor McDavid gave the Edmonton Oilers a major scare Friday after crashing hard into the net during an NHL training camp scrimmage.
The Oilers captain had a brief stick contact with newly acquired defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin before sliding into the post and goalie Connor Ungar. McDavid was slow to get up and appeared to favor his right arm.
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NHL reporter Ryan Rishaug described the moment on X, writing that Mukhamadullin "took McDavid hard into the net." He added that McDavid appeared to be holding his arm before scoring on the ensuing penalty shot.
Other video evidence, however, quickly shifted attention toward Mukhamadullin. Several fans argued that McDavid lost his edge and that the defenseman did not intentionally drive him into the net.
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One fan wrote, " He's okay, everybody calm down . And stop going after Shakir. He's practicing hard like everyone else is, and accidents happen. McDavid's all right, that's the important thing."
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Another fan criticized the initial framing, saying, " Saw the video. Rishaug with typical clickbait . Mukhamadullin never even touched Connor. Reached with his stick. Never drove anyone into anything. What a pathetic reporter."
A fan said, " Mukh didn't even touch him . Do better."
A fourth fan also pushed back on Rishaug's take, saying, " 97 went down on his own . That small reach from Shak didn't do a thing. Really reaching for engagement on this one."
Oilers fans rally behind Mukhamadullin
NHL: San Jose Sharks at Montreal Canadiens
Montreal, Quebec, CAN; San Jose Sharks defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin (85) skates at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
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The reaction matters because Mukhamadullin is entering camp under significant attention after Edmonton acquired him from San Jose in the Darnell Nurse trade. The 24-year-old defenseman has also started camp alongside veteran Mattias Ekholm.
The collision looked more like a training-camp accident than a deliberate attempt to injure McDavid. Mukhamadullin challenged the puck carrier, while McDavid attacked the net at high speed.
McDavid then provided the most important response himself. He stayed on the ice, waved off the trainer and scored a highlight-reel goal on the resulting penalty shot.
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Zach Hyman also eased concerns afterward, saying McDavid "quieted any doubt" with the penalty-shot move. "So it's all good. It's kind of part of camp," Hyman said.
The Oilers did not announce an injury diagnosis after practice. Meanwhile, with Mike Babcock emphasizing depth and structure, Mukhamadullin remains an important part of Edmonton's revamped blue line.
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