Connor McDavid’s future with the Edmonton Oilers isn’t as certain as some might think, even though Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes the superstar center is staying put.
Until there’s ink on paper, anything could happen.
Let’s break down how this might play out:
The simplest path would be McDavid signing this summer. It’d kill all the rumors and let everyone move forward. But don’t hold your breath – McDavid himself made it pretty clear he’s in no hurry.
"I’m not in a rush," he said recently.
Still, if the Oilers can convince him they’re built for long-term success – or as McDavid puts it, winning "over and over again" – he might sign later this summer. Maybe even a four-year deal like Auston Matthews took in Toronto.
Remember, Leon Draisaitl didn’t sign his extension until September 3 last year. The Oilers aren’t known for rushing these things.
But what if McDavid waits?
He could sign during the season, though that’s pretty rare for superstars. The media circus would be intense. But if the Oilers are dominating and looking like real Cup contenders, he might decide to end the speculation right there.
The most nerve-wracking scenario for Oilers fans? Waiting until next summer.
That would give McDavid a full year to think about everything – the team’s future, his health, and whether Edmonton still feels like home. Sure, he’s loyal, but the longer this drags on, the more other teams will start dreaming.
And then there’s the nightmare scenario for Edmonton: free agency.
If McDavid hits the open market, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be first in line. It’s his hometown. It’s hockey-crazy. And teaming up with Matthews to try ending the NHL’s longest Cup drought? That’s the kind of story that sells itself.
Is it likely? Maybe not. But for a player who’s all about winning, you can’t rule anything out.
The clock’s ticking in Edmonton. And with each passing day, the pressure only grows.
