Edmonton Oilers rookie forward Connor McDavid said he feels good after taking contact in practice for the first time since fracturing his collarbone in early November but it is unknown if he will play in the first game after the All-Star break.
McDavid is practicing with Bakersfield of the American Hockey League but will not play any games for them.
"The whole point of this was kind of to take some contact," McDavid told ESPN.com. "I was cleared for contact right before the All-Star break. I didn't have a chance to do that with the guys [in Edmonton] so it's a good chance down here to take some bumps and really battle hard and test it out and see how it feels. … I've already taken a few [bumps] down here and I feel pretty good."
McDavid, the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, was injured Nov. 3 against the Philadelphia Flyers. He had five goals and 12 points in 13 games; he has missed 37 games.
"There's still a process to go through to be cleared to play and I'm going through that now," McDavid said. "Whether it's Feb. 2 or not I'm not too sure right now. But obviously it's sometime not too long after the All-Star break."
Edmonton hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets on Feb 2, then plays at the Ottawa Senators on Feb. 4 and the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 6.
McDavid said though the injury has been difficult he credits the Oilers for helping him through it.
"When you get hurt it's sometimes tough to feel part of the team and all that. But the guys in Edmonton have done such a great job of including me and making me feel just as if I was playing," the 19-year-old said. "I'm very lucky to have the teammates that I do."
Edmonton is 19-26-5; their 43 points are tied for last in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets. The Oilers were 5-8-0 when McDavid was injured.
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