McDavid was drafted first overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. On July 3, 2015, McDavid signed a three-year entry-level contract with the team. He made his NHL debut on October 8, 2015, in a 3–1 loss to the St. Louis Blues. McDavid scored his first goal (and point) four nights later against goaltender Kari Lehtonen, in a 4–2 loss to the Dallas Stars. On November 3, 2015, he broke his clavicle during a game against the Philadelphia Flyers when he collided with Brandon Manning and caused him to miss the next 37 games. He returned to the line-up on February 2, 2016, scoring a goal and gaining two assists. In his first game against his boyhood team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, McDavid had his first five-point night, recording a point on every goal in a 5–2 victory, including three assists (on three Jordan Eberle goals) and two goals. He finished third in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year despite participating in only 45 games in his rookie season.