The Toronto Maple Leafs could be a destination for Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid. The long-rumored “homecoming” for McDavid comes up in the media from time to time.
But according to a player poll The Athletic conducted, some NHLers are betting on Connor McDavid somehow finding his way to the Maple Leafs.
The survey asked 120 current NHL players about where they believed Connor McDavid would end up playing. While 56.4% responded that McDavid will remain in Edmonton, 10% stated that the superstar center would join the Maple Leafs.
It was interesting to see that the top alternate destination for McDavid was Toronto. Prior to announcing his two-year extension earlier this year, speculation had been rampant about McDavid joining the Maple Leafs.
Multiple McDavid sightings in his native Ontario during the summer further fueled the speculation. That speculation has permeated the thoughts of players around the league. One of the respondents in The Athletic’s poll stated:
“I think he’s going to find his way home.”
The anonymous respondent does not play for the Maple Leafs, The Athletic noted. Another non-Toronto respondent added:
“For better or for worse…”
The Maple Leafs could have the cap space to make a monster contract for McDavid fit under their structure. The team remains largely competitive, despite this season’s woes. However, the Leafs have seemingly turned things around. The team is back in the playoff picture and could be looking to get back.
However, acquiring McDavid via trade would be nearly impossible. So, it seems the Maple Leafs would have to wait until 2028 to potentially land McDavid via free agency.
Maple Leafs Not Only Alternate Destination for McDavid
While the Maple Leafs were the top non-Edmonton destination for Connor McDavid, the New York Rangers were second on the list.
A total of 8.2% of respondents believed that McDavid could end up with the New York Rangers. Like the Maple Leafs, the Rangers have been a team long-rumored to have its sights set on the Oilers’ captain.
One player cited by The Athletic declared:
“McDavid’s out. I think he might go to Vegas? No. Dallas? No. I’m going to say New York Rangers.”
The comments came on the heels of the Oilers’ 9-1 thrashing at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche. The Oilers looked out of it, with the frustration on McDavid’s face patently evident.
McDavid Could Reunite with Former GM
One other interesting possibility is the potential reunion between McDavid and former Oilers GM Ken Holland. Holland is now at the helm of the LA Kings. As such, if the Maple Leafs and Rangers don’t become destinations for McDavid, the Kings may have a shot.
As the poll in The Athletic noted, McDavid could follow Wayne Gretzky’s steps by moving from Edmonton to California.
The Kings may seem like a logical fit for McDavid. Anze Kopitar will be retiring at the end of this season. So, the team would have a seemingly natural fit for McDavid as their next leader. Whether something like that actually happens is another story entirely.
In the meantime, everyone is betting that Connor McDavid remains an Oiler for life.
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