McDavid recorded his 1,000th NHL point on Thursday in Edmonton and hasn't had a lot of time to enjoy the moment.
Shortly after Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid recorded his 1,000th NHL point in a 3-2 overtime win against the Nashville Predators, the team quickly went to Toronto, aware that the city was more bustling than usual.
"We got to Toronto early to avoid Taylor Swift traffic," McDavid said Saturday ahead of their game against Toronto Maple Leafs. "So yeah, it's been a quick turnaround."
Swift, one of the biggest pop stars in the world, began her six highly anticipated shows at Rogers Centre on Thursday. These concerts are part of her record-breaking Eras Tour, which has generated worldwide excitement. Reports have surfaced of street closures to accommodate her motorcade as it moved through the city, further contributing to the lively but hectic atmosphere.
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Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman shared on his 32 Thoughts podcast that the Oilers encountered a unique logistical challenge upon arriving in Toronto: their regular hotel was fully booked due to the surge in demand brought on by Swift's concerts.
"The Oilers, they couldn't stay at their regular hotel because they couldn't get in there," Friedman explained during the podcast recorded on Thursday. "I know some people down there, and they say it's bananas in our city."
Swift had announced her six Toronto dates in August 2023, a remarkable 15 months in advance, giving fans plenty of time to prepare—and apparently, book every available hotel room.
For McDavid, who hails from nearby Newmarket, Ontario, the buzz in Toronto seemed to be more of a thrill than an inconvenience.
"It's cool to see the city so excited, and it's been good," McDavid remarked.
When asked if he was a Swiftie, the NHL superstar gave a candid nod to the cultural phenomenon.
"Yeah, she has some great songs," he admitted.
The Eras Tour shows in Toronto are set to draw fans not just from across Canada but also internationally, solidifying Swift’s presence as a transformative force in live entertainment. Meanwhile, the Oilers navigate the lively backdrop of a city completely captivated by the pop icon's arrival.