The Edmonton Oilers took care of a massive piece of business recently. Connor McDavid elected to sign a contract extension with Edmonton. This prevents teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and Boston Bruins from vying for his services this summer.
An extension with the Oilers certainly wasn’t a guarantee. Edmonton’s captain mentioned on numerous occasions that he wanted to take his time with the process. This is the closest he came to hitting the market since 2017, when he signed his last contract.
Had he reached NHL Free Agency, we would have seen a bidding war unlike any other in league history. McDavid has already built a Hall of Fame case for himself. He has long cemented his status as one of the greatest players of this generation. Every team in the NHL would have tried to find some way to add McDavid to its roster.
However, that can has been kicked down the road a bit. But this isn’t stopping any discourse around his potential exit at the end of this extension. The Hockey News writer Michael Hapanovich believes the Maple Leafs serve as an “enticing” destination should he reach the open market in a few years.
“If McDavid wants to contend, the Leafs could fit the bill. With key players Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, Morgan Rielly and Anthony Stolarz all locked up for three years or longer, the Leafs are poised to contend for the better half of the next decade,” he wrote.
Connor McDavid Could Test Market In 2028
Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesThe Toronto Maple Leafs have long been considered a potential landing spot for Connor McDavid.
The Oilers are certainly pleased to have McDavid signed. However, he did not sign a long-term contract. The Edmonton captain inked a two-year contract worth the same salary he’s currently making: $12.5 million per season.
In some ways, this is a prove it contract for the Oilers. McDavid clearly sees the potential for a championship in Edmonton. However, his decision against a long-term deal could indicate that he doesn’t believe the team’s long-term future could be what he’s looking for.
2028 is still a long ways away, of course. In saying this, it’s not too far off to prevent discussions about his future. And it’s close enough that it will cause every team, including the Oilers, to plan for the possibility of McDavid testing the market in the very near future.
Maple Leafs, Oilers Both Make Sense For McDavid
Hapanovich certainly isn’t incorrect when he mentions the Maple Leafs as a fit. Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, and Anthony Stolarz are certainly a fantastic core for a player like McDavid to work with. And they may not need to worry too much about the salary cap once he potentially hits the market.
At the same time, it’s hard to count out the Oilers. Edmonton is the only team McDavid has known to this point. This team has made the Stanley Cup Final twice with him. And these next two years could allow the Oilers to greatly improve their long-term outlook.
All of this is speculation until his contract ends, of course. However, it’s an interesting discussion to be had. Additionally, it’s a discussion that won’t be ending any time soon.
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