It’s been surprisingly quiet around Connor McDavid in the aftermath of the Edmonton Oilers getting eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Anaheim Ducks, but all it took was one tweet on Sunday to get the rumors going again.
That came from columnist Marc-Olivier Beaudoin, who suggested that he’s heard McDavid would have the Montreal Canadiens as well as the New York Rangers on his very short list of teams he’d be willing to leave Edmonton for if it came to that. He then mentioned that the world’s best player also recently visited areas in Brossard and Westmount while in town for the F1 Grand Prix.
“I had some very interesting discussions last week, but I was waiting for the dust to settle before sharing them. I was confirmed that in the event of a situation where Connor McDavid wanted to leave Edmonton, the #CH would be on his very short list of a few teams where he would agree to be traded. Or to sign if he reaches full autonomy on July 1, 2028. When he came to Montreal for the F1 Grand Prix, he took the opportunity to visit certain neighborhoods in Brossard and Westmount. Montreal and New York (Rangers) would therefore be two of the few places he would consider.
Attention: I’m not saying that McDavid has made a decision and/or requested a trade from the Oilers. I’m not saying that McDavid is coming to Montreal. I’m not saying that the CH would be ready to gut its club to acquire McDavid. I’m simply saying that if his eventual decision is to leave Edmonton, the CH is a top candidate on his list. Note that he currently has a full no-movement clause. He therefore holds the “big end of the stick” regarding his next destination (if there is a next destination) so there will be no question of being traded to the highest bidder. File to follow!”
The 29-year-old McDavid will be entering the first year of the two-year, $25 million extension he signed with the Oilers in October, which runs through the 2027-28 campaign.
There has been about McDavid to the Canadiens in the past, and it does make sense for a variety of reasons.
If McDavid isn’t going to stay in Edmonton, it’s because he wants a better chance to win, and after the run we just saw a young, up-and-coming Montreal team go on, it’s safe to say they’re poised to be contenders for years to come.
Pair that with the opportunity to play in Canada in front of what many consider the best crowd in hockey — something McDavid himself has marveled at before — and it’s easy to understand why Montreal would be an appealing destination.
We still have to see how the 2026-27 Oilers season plays out, but barring a Stanley Cup, questions about McDavid’s future won’t be going away.
Next: Blue Jackets Defenseman Worth Maple Leafs’ First-Overall Pick?
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