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"The Twitter has never changed," said Davidson. "I haven't been on my Twitter since I left except for once to post for Movember. But I never really realized that was still up there. It had never changed. I didn't have an inside scoop or knew anything about that. I did see there was quite a ruckus about it though. It's kind of funny that it turned out to be that way."
It was almost perfect that Davidson never changed it, because on Sunday he was heading right back to the team that drafted and developed him for the entire start of his NHL career. The Oilers claimed the defenceman off waivers.
"When I got put on waivers, I knew there was maybe an opportunity to come back here," said Davidson. "Leaving here, I felt there was unfinished business. I felt like I had a lot of success here and I felt this would be a good place for me to kick things off again. In the back of my mind, I felt my heart did belong here. It is a big deal for me to come back here. It means a lot to me. My family is here, I'm from Alberta, and it just brings back a lot of fond memories. I'm really excited to get going. There's no better place I could have ended up."
"I haven't quit smiling since I heard the news."
Davidson was taken in the sixth round of the 2010 NHL Draft. He's played 114 regular season games and three in the post-season, compiling a total of five goals and 11 assists. Most of his success on the ice has been achieved in an orange and blue uniform. After just 13 games this season in Montreal, being taken in and out of the lineup, Davidson was ready for a change.
"I've been sitting out for a while now, but I feel really good about myself," said Davidson. "I feel comfortable, I feel my confidence has been growing. I just really need to get on the ice and have some ice time. I'm stronger, I'm happier, I'm really ready to pick up where I left off and even push further with this."
Davidson spoke with Oilers President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Peter Chiarelli about his expected role, and he also sat with the coaching staff on Monday to go over systems that he still remembers like it was yesterday. There are a few differences that he hopes to brush up on before suiting up in a game, but his familiarity and confidence in Edmonton is sky high.
"It's huge," said Davidson. "Most players talk about confidence and how comfortable they can feel on the ice. I think that's something I'd lost, not something that's been gone but something I'd lost. I think that being home really gives me that comfort and puts me back in my place."
"I think this will be my eighth year now with the Edmonton organization," he added. "I've been doing this for such a long time that everything comes easy for me here. There's familiarity with the systems, with the people and that really contributes just to the impact I can have on the ice."
For the Oilers, they feel they've added to the quality of their depth and are comfortable bringing in a player like Davidson, who should fit right in from day one.
"We're excited about having him here," said Head Coach Todd McLellan. "There are a number of positives to it. One is organization depth. Two is creating that depth on the blueline with somebody who is familiar with the organization, the city, his teammates, the coaching staff, and the language. It should give him a head start. We'll try and get his confidence back up. When we play him, we'll still determine that as we move forward."
Oilers defenceman Eric Gryba was the first to text Davidson and welcome him back. It snowballed from there until Davidson has said nearly everyone has set him a note. He talked with teammates by phone all night.
"I was more than happy to come here," he said. "I think looking back this is where I've always wanted to be. I think moving forward, there's a lot of opportunity for me still and I do feel like this is home, this is where my comfort is. It's easy to walk in here today and see all the faces and see all the coaches and really just get off to a good start."
The Oilers will assess their injury situation on the backend before making a determination of whether or not Davidson will play against Philadelphia on Wednesday night.
