The captain takes advice from Edmonton’s top medical staff while comparing it to his own internal thoughts about how his body feels to ultimately make the best decision on when to return. But there is always within him a desire to surpass any recovery schedule.

A potential return for McDavid this Saturday would put him about a week ahead of schedule, while his latest three-week return could see him join the Oilers later this month on their upcoming Eastern road trip from the 15th to November 19. Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.

“There’s a good balance, but I still want to play and I still want to be with the guys that help the team in any way I can,” McDavid said. “You can only achieve that by being with them, and at the end of the day, that’s what I love to do. That’s why I always push for it. Doctors always back off a little bit on that, but like I said, we always find a good balance.

Head coach Kris Knoblauch said it’s natural for the NHL’s best players to try to outperform even the best-case scenarios in their recovery, and McDavid is at the top of the list.

“He’s a competitor,” added head coach Kris Knoblauch. “He wants to be on the ice and he wants to help the team win. He knows his body and the doctors give him their medical advice. Ultimately, it will depend on when doctors think it’s best for him to return.

“It’s in their DNA that all these top players want to be on the ice during games to help their teammates. Whether it’s for one to two weeks or months, it’s not easy for players.