Breaking: Coach Kris Knoblauch’s unexpected announcement that star center Connor McDavid has been made the backup has shocked Edmonton Oilers fans. The goalie

In one of the most stunning announcements in recent NHL history, Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch sent shockwaves through the hockey world today by revealing that superstar center Connor McDavid has been named the team’s backup goaltender for the foreseeable future.

Yes — you read that correctly. The world’s premier skater, a perennial Hart Trophy contender, and the heart of Edmonton’s offense is now, officially, the No. 2 goalie.

The hockey universe has been thrown into utter disbelief. Fans flooded social media with reactions ranging from confusion to disbelief to outright laughter. Some assumed it was an elaborate April Fool’s prank — until reporters confirmed that Knoblauch was, in fact, completely serious.

“I know it’s unconventional,” Knoblauch said at a hastily organized press conference. “But Connor’s a special player. We think he can be a special goalie, too — if needed.”

The announcement came after Oilers practice on Saturday morning. Reporters were initially invited for what was described as a “routine team update.” Instead, they were met with the bombshell news that McDavid had been practicing in goalie pads behind closed doors for the past month.

Knoblauch said the decision was partially motivated by “roster flexibility” and a “desire to maximize our elite talent in any way possible.”

“We see this as an emergency situation option,” Knoblauch clarified. “Connor’s not giving up his regular spot. He’ll still center the top line. But if we find ourselves in a game where our starter gets injured and we need someone — and we can’t burn a roster spot on a traditional backup — Connor’s now certified and ready.”

Even McDavid himself appeared to be struggling to suppress a grin when he addressed the media.

“I mean, it’s… different,” McDavid said. “They asked if I’d be willing to learn. I’m a team guy. If it helps us win, why not?”

The roots of this bizarre move trace back to the Oilers’ recent goaltending instability. Over the past two seasons, Edmonton’s net has been a carousel of inconsistency. Injuries, struggles, and spotty depth have haunted the team, despite having two of the NHL’s most electrifying forwards in McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

With the playoffs approaching, and roster flexibility becoming paramount, the coaching staff brainstormed creative ways to deal with sudden emergencies.

The final straw came two weeks ago when both starting goalie Stuart Skinner and backup Calvin Pickard were briefly sidelined during a morning skate. With no immediate backup on hand, assistant coach Glen Gulutzan jokingly tossed a set of pads at McDavid and said, “You’re up.”

McDavid — known for his freakish athleticism — reportedly impressed everyone by making a series of stunning saves during the impromptu session.

“He’s just… good at everything,” Gulutzan said, laughing.

From there, the idea snowballed.

Knoblauch, working closely with goalie coach Dustin Schwartz, arranged secret late-night sessions where McDavid worked on basic goaltending fundamentals: stance, angles, movement, tracking.

By all accounts, McDavid adapted quickly.

“Connor’s edgework is already elite,” Schwartz explained. “Translating that to goaltending footwork wasn’t as crazy as it sounds.”

The rest of the NHL didn’t know what to make of the news. Players, coaches, and analysts were left speechless.

Sidney Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain and McDavid’s longtime friendly rival, chuckled when reporters asked for his reaction.

“Man, I thought I’d seen it all,” Crosby said. “If anyone could do it, it’s probably Connor. But… wow.”

Wayne Gretzky, the Oilers legend and hockey’s all-time leading scorer, was equally flabbergasted.

“I admire the creativity,” Gretzky said during an appearance on TNT. “But I don’t want Connor taking a 90 mph slapshot to the collarbone, either.”

Even former goalies weighed in.

“I hope he’s wearing extra padding,” joked Martin Brodeur, the Hall of Fame netminder. “Being a goalie’s no joke. It’s a whole different world in there.”

Edmonton’s passionate fanbase immediately took to social media to voice their disbelief — and, in some cases, concern.

Memes flooded Twitter, with one viral image depicting McDavid’s face photoshopped onto legendary Oilers goalie Grant Fuhr’s body.

Another joked: “Connor McDavid: 153 points, 7 shutouts, 1 Vezina Trophy incoming.”

But amid the humor, some serious questions arose:

• What if McDavid actually had to step into the crease during a playoff game?
• Would the Oilers really risk their franchise cornerstone blocking pucks?
• Is this move a sign of deeper goaltending issues for the team?

One fan summed up the general sentiment: “Love the guy, but I’d rather him score goals than save them!”

Schwartz offered a fascinating glimpse into what a McDavid goaltending style might look like.

“He’s extremely quick side-to-side. His glove hand is surprisingly natural. He’s aggressive — he doesn’t sit back in the crease like a lot of young goalies would.”

Schwartz said McDavid’s “puck tracking” — his ability to read the puck’s movement — was “off the charts” from Day One.

“That’s what makes him an elite skater and scorer. It also makes him… a shockingly decent goalie.”

Still, Schwartz cautioned that McDavid was nowhere near NHL-level ready as a full-time goalie.

“He’s a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option. Let’s be clear about that.”

There’s obvious upside to the move: by registering McDavid as an eligible emergency backup, the Oilers can potentially use their regular roster spot on an extra skater or defenseman during critical games.

But the risks are blindingly clear, too.

What happens if McDavid is forced to play and suffers an injury — a broken finger, a collarbone fracture, a concussion?

The Oilers’ playoff hopes — and perhaps years of championship contention — could be jeopardized in a single moment.

Analysts across sports networks debated whether the risk was even remotely worth it.

“This is an all-time gamble,” said ESPN’s Emily Kaplan. “You’re toying with the health of your most irreplaceable asset.”

Knoblauch was adamant that the decision wasn’t made lightly.

“We did a risk assessment with the medical team, the front office, and with Connor himself. We’re not throwing him into the fire recklessly.”

He stressed that in 99.9% of cases, Edmonton would use an emergency goalie drawn from their minor league affiliates or local amateur ranks if disaster struck.

“This is only if all other options are exhausted — and we’re still hoping we never have to use it.”

Still, it underscores a larger truth about the Oilers: they are willing to be radically creative to win.

From bold trades to controversial coaching changes to now arguably the most eyebrow-raising roster decision in modern NHL history, Edmonton is signaling that it will do whatever it takes.

“We believe in thinking outside the box,” general manager Ken Holland said. “We’re all in.”

For now, McDavid will continue to log his usual superstar minutes at center — while also donning the goalie pads for 10-15 minutes after select practices, just to stay sharp.

It’s entirely possible that this surreal chapter will never amount to anything more than a footnote — a quirky “remember when?” story for future generations of Oilers fans.

But if fate intervenes — if Stuart Skinner tweaks a groin and Calvin Pickard sprains a wrist in the same game — the hockey world may witness something truly unprecedented: Connor McDavid, the best player in the world, sliding into the crease to defend the net.

Just imagining it is enough to make Oilers fans’ hearts race — with excitement and terror in equal measure.

In a league defined by tradition and conservative thinking, the Oilers just rewrote the playbook — again.

McDavid the center? McDavid the sniper? McDavid the power play quarterback?

Now, it’s McDavid the goaltender.

And somehow, because it’s Connor McDavid, it almost makes a crazy kind of sense.

Stay tuned, hockey world. The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs just got a lot more interesting.