One of the biggest stories in recent NHL news has been Connor McDavid's future with the Edmonton Oilers. Speculation surrounding the Oilers captain continues to grow across the hockey world following another disappointing playoff exit. Wayne Gretzky was asked about the rumours in a light-hearted way when talking about McDavid’s commitment to Edmonton and the constant trade talk around the NHL.
Gretzky Defends McDavid's Commitment
Gretzky said this during a media appearance in which he defended Connor McDavid’s commitment to the Edmonton Oilers. The NHL legend also joked that he wouldn’t tell McDavid to leave, because he doesn’t want his famous statue in Edmonton to be damaged by angry fans.
Gretzky on McDavid and Small Markets
In a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Gretzky stated that NHL stars today do not have to leave small markets to build their brand. McDavid, he said, is still close to Edmonton even after the team’s first-round playoff loss to the Anaheim Ducks. When asked whether he would tell McDavid to join another franchise, Gretzky laughed and noted that he would rather keep his Edmonton statue safe than give Oilers fans controversial advice.
Playoff Disappointment Fuels Speculation
The discussion gained momentum after several analysts wondered if McDavid could one day consider another team if the Oilers continued to struggle to win a Stanley Cup. While Edmonton recently made back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, the most recent first-round ouster raised new questions about the direction of the franchise. Former NHL defenseman Erik Johnson also fueled the speculation, suggesting that either Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews could be on the Minnesota Wild in the next few seasons. His comments quickly entered the larger NHL trade rumour discussion surrounding top Canadian stars.
McDavid's Current Contract and Performance
Connor McDavid signed a short-term extension that will keep him with the Edmonton Oilers through 2028 in a deal reportedly worth $25 million. The superstar center put up elite numbers once again this season, and another dominant offensive campaign has him leading the NHL scoring race. There is no indication that Connor McDavid is leaving Edmonton anytime soon. However, more playoff disappointment is likely to keep NHL future speculation surrounding the Oilers captain alive through the offseason.
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