You’re likely aware of several articles that have dropped about Connor McDavid over the last 24 hours. Nothing terribly new, but the possibility of this being his final year in Edmonton is coming into view. I said some time ago that if McDavid was going to free agency, his vague verbal would be an effective way to deflect the early concern.
Connor McDavid has attracted myriad fans to the sport, to the Oilers, to Edmonton. He has created a mountain of goodwill via his play and positive words about the team and city. He may have decided it’s time to go, and we (you and I) have to respect his decision, should it come to pass.
I’m reminded a little of the period where the Beatles broke up when I was a kid. People blamed all manner of things, instead of focusing on the truth: A bunch of teenagers formed a band, became wildly successful, and then became men with lives of their own, separate from the other members of the group. John, Paul, George and Ringo grew from youth to adulthood, their priroties changed and eventually the group was no more. McDavid has his first chance to play in another city starting next season. It may have appeal. You can’t blame a man for thinking about it long and hard.
Oilers owner Daryl Katz would know which way the wind is blowing by now, I would think. An individual who has been negotiating at the highest levels of business for decades would know that a deal involves money, desire from both sides to complete a deal, and a discussion about the framework of a contract.
The vagueness of McDavid’s verbal makes negotiation difficult, probably impossible. Things could change, the Oilers might have a hot start, but what does that mean for the playoffs? Nothing really.
The team has added talent, and that talent may be an upgrade on last year’s team. That would offer hope.
I think this is a point those interested in the McDavid situation need to be mindful of what is happening here. A generational talent has reached the point where he can ponder his future. He has earned that right. McDavid is not the teenager who was drafted in 2015, he is a man in the middle of an incredible hockey career.
His desire to win a Stanley Cup may be the driver here, and that should not be discounted. On the other hand this may be a case of a player wanting to go home, like Johnny Gaudreau. Or a player wanting to play in a massive market in an effort to grow the game and have the world enjoy his talent. In hockey terms, that’s eastern seaboard, 7pm local starts and a national television audience most of the time. It might be frustration over losing ground to the Panthers in the 2025 Final (a quicker exit) and maybe the Blues offer sheets were the genesis of discontent that will leads to an exodus.
My opinion? I think he’s tired of losing in the Stanley Cup Final and he’s not planning to do that again. I suspect Oilers fans would be wise to embrace what might be his final season with the team, and enjoy every moment. I also think that will be difficult, as difficult as the team itself shutting out the noise and answering the same question every night. I believe this year will be the most unusual in Oilers history. If we’re honest, it already is.
On the Lowdown today, our feature guest is Kevin McCurdy. We’ll talk Connor McDavid, Oilers training camp and a season to come that could be a Stanley season or a runaway train. Noon to 2pm on Sports 1440 and on You Tube.
Why Edmonton Oilers’ bet on Trent Frederic a key to 2025-26 season
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6633132/2025/09/17/edmonton-oilers-trent-frederic-stats-2025/
My take after all this is, he plans on putting everything in his power to win this year, but he’s gone after 25-26 season.
If he wins the Cup, it’s easier to walk away, he’s climbed the mountain.
If he doesn’t, then nobody will slight him for leaving.
Think of it, If he were to sign in Edmonton, there’s zero reason to not have already done it. It reduces distraction, quells the noise, etc….Signing a deal would not prevent him from at any time requesting a trade, heck, even before the new deal kicks in, and Edmonton will have to do it. He could even say, hey, sign me to this, I’ll stay this year to get the job done and see how it goes, but when I want out, I’m asking out.
So the only 2 logical conclusions are: (1) he plans on testing the UFA waters; or (2) he is being held up by Kaprizov which makes no real sense – I don’t see this being valid.
I think he’s going to be unreal this year, but after, he’s gone. Let’s enjoy the season, it could be the last great Oiler season for a LONG time.
I rarely post anything of my own – and of course this is opinion, as are most comments really. Listening to the interviews, phrasing, wording, manner of delivery – it adds up to McDavid leaving after this season. I don’t think it’s about what the Oilers will look like in 2-3 or 4 years and what his opportunities for Stanley Cups are. He wants out.
If he is sincere about concerns regarding the team construction for future years, signing and committing to the team – perhaps a 4 year contract – would be a significant step in solidifying how this team GETS constructed over the course of the contract. This team has made the finals two years in a row and losing it sucks. But THEY got there, as constructed now. Refining and enhancing the team can take place and can make this team better and increase the probability of success. As a top performing team, it can be an attractive place to want to come to try and win it all. Particularly if McDavid has fully committed to saying “I am here to win, we are focused on that, this is the place to be to win a Stanley Cup.
So if that is REALLY his motivation, winning in Edmonton, leaving is antithetical to that. What I believe he really means is he does not care about the Oilers, he wants to go where he wants to go – and right now presumably only he knows that.
Right now he is ducking and dodging and saying without stating outright, “I don’t want to play in Edmonton anymore” and who know why that is.
The vague references about “future” in Edmonton are just scattered verbiage intended to pave the way to his exit. You can say it is Skinner or Holloway/Broberg or whatever. He just wants to leave.
Like I said my opinion.
This is funny…no one cares till the media does I guess.
Like it or not, if he’s not signed by Game 1 he has to be traded. Bench him till he signs/gets traded.
Everyday that passes beyond that day, becomes a discount on the greatest player the game has seen in years gifted to us by the gods.
No thanks.
If he’s not committed with pen to paper then goodbye. Yes, it’s sad. But not the end…the return should be massive. We could even be better afterwards.
It may be that he’s asked for a trade already, and management is talking very quietly to others in the background for the best package possible.
It may be he said he wanted a new goalie and they didn’t deliver.
It may be that he’s stringing everyone along to bail at the end.
It may be that he wants to go closer to home to play with his family…and that’s 1000000% ok. But you sit till you’re gone…that will hurt and will get results.
Do you honestly want to just watch him play out his last year then walk away for NOTHING? I don’t have words for how bad that is.
I’m still holding faith he signs the max jersey contract prior to Game 1. Just cuz…we can’t lose two legends….especially when the return for one of them is nothing.
Drai signed on September 3. MacKinnon signed on September 20.
Kaprizon, Eichel, Kyle Connor – all unsigned.
A part of the fan-base want to vilify McDavid because he isn’t signed on September 17
The premise here is not allow the top performer in the world to do his job as a pressure tactic to get him to sign a future contract with the organization and not a competitor and/or pressure him to waive a contractual clause that was negotiated in good faith?
I’m not sure that’s a good idea.
“A part of the fan-base want to vilify McDavid because he isn’t signed on September 17″
Not at all. It’s his media avails that have “vilified” him.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
That’s your opinion good sir. It’s clear some Oilers fans feel betrayed and believe the team comes before one player.
Yes. This. Connor is the one who is causing the unsettling. He has made it clear that the rest of the team should be able to function without being distracted. (And even insinuated that maybe they are in the wrong sport if they can’t play through this without being distracted) I mean that’s the definition of vilification. lol. As I wrote in my comment below, it is reason to pull the C off him too….but only if he doesn’t sign by game 1. Because if he does sign, this all goes away. And we will dance and sing in the streets once again!
It is my opinion but its also legalities – the organization could be liable in that situation (I don’t know that for sure) but it most certainly would lead to grievance filings by the NHLPA and league would be up in arms
My wife and I bought a cabin on a pond this summer and have become avid escape artists with our dog Moose so I have not been following much hockey, or anything else really.
I just saw the interview and it gave me a pit in my stomach reminiscent of a long term breakup in your youth.
I did not expect this.
The demeanor of McDavid in that interview spoke volumes. He was prepared, and rehearsed. I felt like we were getting a preamble to the “im moving away to college and I think we should see other people” speech.
This one hurts.
We absolutely have to trade him. We cannot bleed an asset of that magnitude. He can restock the entire organization. We cant cling on hoping he will realize we were right in front of him the entire time.
Nope. The decision is Stanley Cup or bust. This time for real.
With Skinner as #1. Bust
You aren’t winning the Stanley cup with this level of distraction. It’s a built in excuse
The Gretzky sale broke my heart because the team had just won 4 cups in 5 years and could have been greatest all time, the future cups were just waiting for them.
Good on the rest of the team for winning one more, but if it wasn’t for the owners financial difficulties it would have been a different story.
The team has gotten to the finals in the last two years, giving McDavid a chance to win the cup. One goal last playoffs in the finals is not enough to win. He had a chance to elevate his game and win it all, but didn’t.
Connor is a big boy and earned the chance to play where he wishes. If he decides some other team offers him a better chance, good for him.
Any team that picks him up will have to let go of talent to make space for his salary which will be at the maximum end of the scale. Who are the Leaf’s going to trade away to take on his salary and will they be in a position to win if they do?
Vegas is capped, Panthers are capped. Dallas has some boat anchor contracts and pretty much capped.
So either he signs or at some point, the Trade Deadline I suppose, the team will be forced to trade him for some sort of return. The Oilers have never let a player walk, they will try to get a return for him…
Hope he stays, the world won’t end if he leaves. May you live in interesting times.
You kinda drive home how he has no incentive to waive his NMC this season – Oil likely offer his best shot at a cup. If beyond this season McD’s not convinced the Oilers are ascendant, he has no incentive to extend. This is Marner 2.0.
Also, the narrative all over the hockey world that the Oilers have wasted McDavid’s career so far is one of the silliest takes ever.
By regular season outcomes, the Oilers have cleared the 100 point barrier 6 of McDavid’s 10 years (20-21 prorates to 105), with a seventh year prorating to 95 points (that’s close enough that a strong finish pushes them over 100).
Only 3 of McDavid’s 10 seasons have been poor by the Oilers, with all 3 occurring in his first 4 years with the club which is standard for a team that bottoms out for a top pick.
The past 5 years have been 100 point seasons.
As for the playoffs, the Oilers have won 11 playoff rounds in McDavid’s 10 years with the team. In the past 4 years they have won 9 rounds and in the past 2 years they have lost by 1 goal in game 7 of the final and lost in the final in 6 games.
Just what exactly is building a strong team around McDavid supposed to look like???
The Buffalo Sabres are what failing to build a strong team around a star (Eichel) looked like.
It must also be mentioned in this context that in the past three seasons the Oilers were eliminated in series in which Connor massively underperformed.
Silly? Uh. Isn’t this blog the longest running and most comprehensive record of exactly where and how Oil failed to capitalize on the manna that was McDrai? We got a bullet list 20 points long not of hindsight wisdom but of bad bets and short sighted decisions called out the day they were made. You say silly. I lean categorical fact.
I just laid out the facts of how the team has been quite strong for a good portion of McDavid’s time here. And then pointed to the Sabres as a comparable to show how wide the gulf is between them.
The legend of the Oilers being bad during McDavid’s time is the team equivalent of “Bouchard is bad”. Can we point to mistakes? Yep. But unless you turn the handful of mistakes into the complete picture, the actual whole picture is a very strong player and a very strong team.
Here’s the facts:
McDavid’s first 10 seasons in the league – 10 playoff rounds won, 2 finals appearances.
Crosby’s first 10 seasons in the league – 11 playoff rounds won, 2 finals appearances.
Yes Crosby’s Penguins won a cup in his first 10 seasons, and they would win the next 2 cups in his 11th and 12th seasons, but the McDavid Oilers have been constructed to be a contender to the same degree that the Crosby Penguins were through 10 seasons. They are have been a strong team that has had a lot of playoff success.
Correction:I keep saying McDavid’s Oilers have won 11 playoff rounds. It is actually 10. I guess I keep giving the 2017 Anaheim series to us since the refs stole it from us.
When you remove the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how implausible, must be the truth.
We KNOW this kid. He’s singularly focused on hockey with very few other interests. His best friend is here and just committed last year. The team is unquestionably great and are willing to accept a short term commitment if the worry is what they’ll be like in 4 years.
If he leaves there’s one reason, only one thing that’s changed and we all know it.
It is his choice but if you can’t put two and two together then so be it.
Pardon my ignorance but what cryptic event are you pointing to? What is the one thing that has changed?
You mean his wife wants to get out of Edmonton?
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/why-lauren-pronger-was-never-going-to-accept-edmonton
A lot of verbal out there saying it’s “truly cup or bust this year” due to McDavid’s contract status. But could it actually be “cup then bust”?
Presumably folks believe if they win he will stay or if he believes they have the pieces in place to continue winning he will stay, likely in part to him repeatedly saying he’s “committed to winning in Edmonton”.
If we conversely think about it, however, one could interpret that as once he brings a a cup to Edmonton he will have accomplished his mission and will move on.
So, if they don’t win this year he likely re-ups for one or two more years. But, if they win, he rides off into the sunset to a destination of his choosing. Likely Ontario as family seems to be quite important to him.
What would you choose, cup this year and he walks or no cup and a couple more years of McDavid? Perhaps 4,5 or, 6 more years if they never get there….
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
I just think McDavid doesn’t want the back stretch of his career to look like Crosby’s (stuck on a mid-poor team with no hope of winning the cup).
That makes total sense. But why he isn’t signing up now (or a month or two ago) for a couple more years is Edmonton is strange.
Not that strange if his objective is to get one for the City then move on. Clearly doesn’t care about a long term contract or getting paid at this point and will likely sign one or two year deals “after” the season(s) until the job is done.
I’m sure he hoped it would have been several cups during his decade here and think he takes a lot of accountability for not finishing the job. I assume he’s pissed with his stat line in games 6/7 of the finals two years running and wants to win one for the City and for an ownership group that’s treated him like a god.
Ultimately I think he wants two things, get it done for Edmonton and live closer to his family. He keeps saying it, without actually saying it….
”I’m committed to winning in Edmonton and I’m committed to the 25-26 season. Beyond that is uncertain”.
Once he wins one here, he’s out.
I, personally, would take that over a package of players, prospects, and picks.
If McDavid leaves I won’t be angry with him (although if he has decided to move on he should tell management).
He can want to live in Ontario and play for the Leafs, that’s fine. I just don’t think that leaving the Oilers right now is what aligns with wanting to win.
I also think that other teams will struggle to be as comfortable places to play for him as Edmonton is and it might be a case of the grass is greener on the other side of the fence…
If the theory is true, and I have no proof whatsoever that it is just reading between the lines, then he has likely already told management, and they would have no choice but to accept it since their and our ultimate goal is to win, at least one. Management and McDavid would also have no choice but to say exactly what they’ve been saying.
“He’s committed to winning in Edmonton and committed to the 25-26 season, beyond that is uncertain”.
Curious, which of these two options would you (and the rest of this group) prefer:
1) Win cup this year, McDavid walks
2) Lose, McDavid signs for more 2yrs
And you’re right, it doesn’t align because he wants to win in Edmonton. He will stay until that job is done, likely beyond next season if it doesn’t happen this year, then he will move on.
He will NOT accept a trade and waive his no move because he wants to win one for this team and the City and once he does the sting of him walking for nothing will hopefully lessen the blow.
They ain’t winning the Cup with this hanging over them. Every rink will be a Mcdavid’s leaving chant. Every 3 game losing streak will be the stage setter to a trade.
McDavid’s current path doesn’t actually make much sense according to his desire to win.
What would have made sense was to sign a 2 year extension in July. Yes that would have made some Oilers fans freak out but if his desire is to play for contending teams, the Oilers are the undisputed 2 best team in the league for the past 2 years. There is no reason to think that the next 2 years won’t be strong contending years for Edmonton.
2 Summers from now there should be more clarity on what the Oilers have in Savoie and Howard (and Berezkin) and on what Bowman has done to change the team over from some players like Ekholm as key pieces.
If at that time, it looks like the Oilers are declining/have no future, tell the team you are moving on and they can trade you.
The Oilers are one of the absolute best bets for McDavid in the next couple of seasons and he already is settled here with a familiar system and a team built around him and great friends as co-workers. Why move away from a top team to an unknown situation right now? Who knows how the fit will be? Will the team gel around him as a player and as a leader?
Long post Alert. I have not had much to say all summer waiting for the inevitable 100% Mcdavid signing.
The Edmonton Oilers have long been a team defined by leadership, accountability, and a commitment to excellence. At the center of that identity stands the captaincy, a role that carries not only the weight of guiding the team on the ice, but also embodying the culture, vision, and ethos of the organization.
Connor McDavid is undeniably one of the greatest talents in hockey today—a player whose skill, vision, and dedication inspire awe. But talent alone does not define the role of captain. The captaincy is built on presence, commitment, and the ability to lead by example both on and off the ice.
As the season approaches, the Oilers face a critical situation. If McDavid remains unsigned, the team is left without the certainty that its captain will be available to lead. This creates multiple challenges: uncertainty in leadership, potential disruption in team cohesion, and a lack of clarity for younger players who look to the captain for guidance.
Leadership is not conditional—it requires reliability. A captain must be fully present, fully committed, and fully engaged. While McDavid’s talent is unquestioned, the responsibility of leading the team demands consistent availability and participation. Without a signed contract, the Oilers cannot guarantee this essential component of leadership.
Reassigning the captaincy in this scenario is not a reflection on McDavid’s character or his contributions—it is a necessary organizational decision to protect the integrity, stability, and focus of the team. By entrusting the “C” to a player who is fully committed at the start of the season, the Oilers demonstrate that leadership is defined not only by talent, but by presence, accountability, and the ability to inspire daily commitment.
While Connor McDavid will always remain one of the franchise’s greatest players, the captaincy must reflect certainty, commitment, and consistent leadership. If these elements cannot be guaranteed at the start of the season, the Oilers must act decisively and responsibly to ensure that the team has the leadership it needs to succeed. Pass the C to Leo. This is not about embarrassing McDavid. This is about preserving the integrity of the term “Captain”.
Not sure if you used chatgpt to edit this or write it wholesale, but I always find comments written by chatgpt raise my eyebrow.
Anyway, I think reassigning the captaincy seems like a punitive move. Without knowing more about what the room dynamic is like, it’s hard for us to really weigh in on whether the contract drama combined with the C is causing an issue. My guess would be that it’s not and that leaders will lead no matter what.
The em dashes (—) give it away. No one types those things.
Not when a comma would suffice.
Hey odds. Yes I did use AI to edit…I wrote this out in this forum, but while proofreading, I found I was being too sentimental, and I asked AI for help to be more to the point and drop the sentiment. This is the final proof after AI edit, but it made my point to near perfection without adding my sadness. lol.
I don’t feel it is punitive at all-and in fact, I feel that Connor may actually find relief. There is just so much pressure for him to win here that he cannot be himself. JMHO
Not positive cratering the relationship and embarassing McDavid is the best way to proceed
Do you really think that it would crater the relationship between the club and him? I mean…he is the one not showing the commitment level that is required to be a captain. (As far as we know, the team will give him anything he wants). Connor is the issue. I’m not sure he has a leg to stand on…because he is the one that is not committing. And, if he is embarrassed about it, I would like to suggest that he has every means to avoid that outcome. So, I am at odds with the whole thing now.
Striping the captaincy? 100%, yes, yes I would.
I also don’t think Leon would accept it in that situation.
My goodness, does every player have to re-sign a year in advance or its shows they are not 100% committed.
McDavid has NOT said he’s not re-signing, nowhere near that – I’m annoyed it hasn’t happened but its September 18 now.
The man took time this summer to help recruit Issac Howard, he was the first one back in town to start skating.
The flip on McDavid is wild.
Looking at the cap in future years, I don’t think the aging roster is really a concern. The 30+ guys with multiple years left are Hyman, RNH and Nurse. I think Hyman and RNH are likely to bring good to reasonable value throughout their deals.
If the question is, who is the talent coming in to take on key roles, that’s a fair one. There’s a lot of pressure for guys like Savoie to perform. Realistically there needs to be 3-5 more blue chip prospects or young NHLers acquired to alleviate those concerns. Maybe some of the guys in the system develop into those players in the next couple years.
There is roster uncertainty but I don’t know how much can be solved this season. The most dangerous thing is giving money/term to bad bets, especially aging players. It’s not that Ekholm and Kulak need to be retained – they need to be replaced.
The Campbell buyout is annoying, but of course the real issue is the Nurse contract. It’s 5 more years and we may start to see regression as early as this year. I wonder what McDavid thinks of his play – they’re good friends, but is that come into his head when he’s thinking about chance to compete going forward? I would argue that contract is the one major hurdle that limits this team going forward, and it’s hard to see how it could be resolved.
The roughly 3-4 million dollar overpayment on 25, along with the Campbell fiasco, leaves Edmonton with roughly 6 million in dead cap for the next 5 years, which is quite the hurdle to overcome and as you say, it is difficult to see how it can be resolved.
How about a blockbuster?
McDavid, Nurse, Janmark for Kaprizov, Boldy, Faber,
Kaprizov Draisaitl Savoie
Boldy RNH Hyman
Howard Frederic Mangiapane
Podkolzin Henrique Tomesek
Philp Lazar
Ekholm Bouchard
Walman Faber
Kulak Emberson
Stecher
Skinner
Pickard
This would set us up to contend for awhile. McDavid would probably want to sign back with us after he walks from Minnesota, lol
I like the attempt and conversation starter on these boring days.
I don’t see it happening, but I like it.
Kaprizov won’t want to come here without McDavid.
*opens door*
Padre says “McDavid signs with the Calgary Flames for 8 years at a discount.”
*closes door*
He does seem to love county music.
I’m over McDavid at this point. Extension or not he’s gone first bad season, and there will be one.
If he plays it out like Marner then I think he’s an ass. Management should play hardball and force a list if he won’t sign before the season starts.
If he’s under the impression that there isn’t a level playing field and he can’t win in Edmonton then I would respect that. Just say it.
Never mind all this bullshit about it not being a distraction. He is the distraction and I expect he’s greasing the wheels for his exit.
Exactly. GET ON WITH IT
Yeah, this isn’t Vegas or L.A. Edmonton is an inferior market and has to operate more like Winnipeg or Ottawa. Cannot keep taking huge assets losses.
1) I’m surprised and annoyed but not “over McDavid” – my goodness. Kaprizov, Eichel, Kyle Connor among dozens of players not extending heading in to expiring contract years.
2) Being gone after one bad season – wow, didn’t realize you had personal insight……
3) Force a trade? I don’t think breaking down the relationship on September 17 is good for anyone involved.
4) It will certainly be a distraction but, for all we know, he signs tomorrow or October 2 or November 3.
5) I’m looking forward a run to the cup this year and McDavid might have his best season to date – I’m here for it.
OP, the problem is that by not signing, we have a huge distraction until he signs. IF he signs. How do you think the team will develop with this distraction the main topic day after day? Stanley Cup run? Or scramble to make the playoffs? Or worse?
So that man is vilified because he hasn’t re-signed 10 months in advance of his contract expiring – exactly the same as Kaprizov and Kyle Connor and Jack Eichel, etc., etc.
I’m annoyed and, yes, it will be a distraction but its still highly likely he re-signs at some point and it could be before the start of the season which is still three weeks out.
Imagine if Nurse’s contract was more in line with what he brings and we didn’t lose the two on the offer sheets. That’s an extra $3M of savings on Nurse plus more cap room with the two RFA players that would be playing significant minutes. No need for Arvidsson or Skinner and could have added a great depth player. Even if Broberg wanted out, assets back for a deadline deal. Wishful thinking I know but maybe we’re not even having the McDavid conversation. It was McDavid’s former agent to boot. Le sigh.
Technical issue. Need help.
Lt is seeing some weird French text on the website. I can’t find it myself. Is anyone seeing French text? If so, where?
Google “Lowetide”. You will see the French text as the description of the site. If you click on the link it will redirect you to an external site (not good). For more information search wordpress and pharmahack. Something has been compromised within wordpress.
Thanks!
Google has different search results by location. I am in BC and I don’t see that.
LT, there’s nothing I can do to fix that. Not sure if people can flag result to Google.
It’s not on the Google side. It’s on the WordPress side. There are fixes. It looks like a lot of work. But frankly it’s a liability that’s more serious than any of the forbidden words.
https://blog.sucuri.net/2023/03/find-fix-wordpress-pharma-hack.html
https://getshieldsecurity.com/blog/wordpress-pharma-hack/
https://www.reddit.com/r/k12sysadmin/comments/tfz7cn/our_website_got_hacked_by_a_pharma_hack_and/
The site seems to load more slowly as well.
https://neilmatthews.com/wordpress-pharma-hack/
https://blog.sucuri.net/2010/07/understanding-and-cleaning-the-pharma-hack-on-wordpress.html
Thanks. I see that,
“The Connor McDavid contract will dominate all pages you read save this one, as I’ve decided to sit out the verbal tail-chasing (which sounds dirty but I don’t mean it that way).” Lowetide.ca Sep 16
Wow, I’d like to know the pages that changed your mind from yesterday?
I had to address the interview with Friedman. It’s a massive story
I appreciate the reply. I checked out the interview and Friedman is in top form getting us all interested with multiple interpretations to be made of the discussion.
My interpretation is that the commitment to Edmonton cannot go beyond the length of the existing contract. A future contract is unknown, so it is impossible to speak to what the commitment will be beyond the current contract.
At least this is what I tell myself to sleep at night. And I haven’t been sleeping well at night 🙂
Agreed.
LT, “We don’t know what we don’t know.”
Nothing. Has. Changed.
Friedman interview doesn’t tell us anything we didn’t already not know.
McD has been consistent: I’m not telling anyone anything.
Frankly, I’m much more interested in your (LT) article about Frederic (& Mangiapane) than in this nothing conversation. That’s interesting. And something to discuss.
Thsnk you.
The oilers dont have much cap room to maneuver this year so its kind of strange that mcdavid is hanging his hat on this year. Next year they have a ton of room to maneuver. That will be a much better tell where the team is going long term
But Mcdavid thinking this isnt going to impact his teammates this year is very very naive of him. What do you think each one of them is going to get asked by the media. Let alone the players that are waiting to sign contracts but cant until Mcdavid signs
— LT and others are coming to conclusion that if he wasn’t going to sign this is how he’d play it
— the only reason to not sign for whatever term at this stage is because he doesn’t want to IMO
— I think management is being naive wishful thinking with their tepid comments
If McDavid wants to move on all the power to him but if he’s not signed by game one the C needs to be given to Leon. McDavid may take the Marner route stringing along the fan base but that won’t work in Edmonton with our loyal heritage. If he’s doesn’t want to be here give Bowman a list and go out in style not sneaking out of town at 3am like smarty pants Marner did.
Not being signed by game 1 does not mean he doesn’t want to be here and, for me, I would stop well short of cratering the relationship and embarrassing the player.
The timing is off.
If McDavid waits a year to sign, hoping the rising cap will solve the aging roster issue, not only is that problem worse as some key players advance further into their 30’s, but he also won’t know if whatever moves made a year from now will work out.
And remember the rising cap will benefit ALL teams including ones that might want to sign McDavid.
Sure, but the Oilers do have 45 mil in projected cap space next year. Even with signing Mcdavid, that leaves a lot of cap space
Whatever actually happens aside, if 97 wants to see this thing through and has a quote about being in the wrong business if you’re distracted by media attention, it’s a terrible look.
Bro, you’re the distraction.
By reports, at least 3 guys livelihoods are being held up by your dithering. It may not be a distraction to you, but if I’m Jake Walman who by all accounts has an extension ready to go the moment 97 comes to the table, after a while would you not think F this guy?
The team must have contingencies for this, and 97 deserves the right to take his time but it’s disingenous to believe it won’t have an effect. Just like Vancouver and New York last year, once any internal drama leaks it’s curtains.
There are no verified reports of any deal done with any of the guys that are being held up.
Bowman confirmed he’s in discussions on a number of players on expiring contracts and advised that, no, they don’t have to wait until McDavid is signed.
I believe this.
All bets would be off if 97 says he’s not staying. Being a lawyer I know you love to take issue with specific verbiage. No verified reports is technically correct, the best kind of correct.
However, Ekholm is quoted as saying to the effect of having to take care of the ‘big boys’ first. The players know how this works.
Spec has held the stance that nothing happens with Walman until 97 resigns. (I know, Spec). Stauff, the org mouthpiece expected late August for 97 and extensions for others shortly after.
Do you resign Ekholm if 97 says he’s leaving? If you’re Ekholm, is Edmonton your best chance to win without 97 committment? You have to have contingencies and if 97 isn’t there, you need to reset your expectations of a competitive window.
I think Bowman is (smartly) in the early stages of pivoting by mentioning other players don’t need 97 to sign first.
Holy Moly,
The doom & gloom is palpable in here.
I have not wavered in my position and I still think Connor signs a 7 x $14 million contract to stay in Edmonton.
— did you believe he was going to sign this before now ?
— it’s the verbal from Connor, the relative meekness from management “Connor gonna Connor and we like him” plus it’s going this late into September that has put pause into my belief 3 months ago that it was 7×14.
I could see one year around there, certainly not 7.
If the Oilers win Stanley this year, where McDavid goes won’t really matter.
One isn’t near enough.
One is sooo much more that none.
— it struck me that bowman is having conversations and knows that it’s up to Connor who is “asking a lot of questions”
— Then he says “yeah we are sticking with Stu, he’s in the best shape of his life,focused”
— maybe bowman doesn’t want to reveal his cards else it’s big balls (reckless IMO) to be pot committed to the same goalie
— If nothing is signed before season starts it’s going to be a gong show. I agree with LT verbatim.
A lot of consternation this morning over the Sportsnet article. I agree that I’d prefer some more positive verbal at this point, but McDavid hasn’t changed his tune since his exit interview in June. He will re-sign if he thinks the team will compete year after year.
I think any contract will come mid-season. The team has turned over the roster with multiple players who are new to the league or pro hockey, multiple key pieces are also up for renewals, and now we’ve turned over most of the coaching staff.
There are a lot of unknowns going forward. I’m sure he wants to have a firmer idea of how these changes will affect the team before committing.
Very hard to believe that McDavid doesn’t already know what the organization’s goals and plans are by now. I’m not sure how this season plays out (hot start, slow start, injuries) changes anything with regards to whether the organization is committed to continuing to be a credible Stanley Cup contender.
Disappointingly, I believe the writing is on the wall.
There’s a difference between the organisation talking believing in the youth and the youth delivering (for example). “The pieces are in place” and now we see how they fit together.
It’s hard not to view the McD situation pessimistically.
I for one will not blame McD if he leaves.
I blame management and ownership entirely for the situation.
I just hope McD is honest about the situation early in the year and if he plans to go is not restrictive about his NTC.
I will not blame him if he leaves unless he leaves for Toronto. From where I stand they have all the same problems we do, so if have a tough time not seeing that as an emotional choice on his part.
If you believe McDavid wants to win a cup, then he’s not going to Toronto. The Leafs have peaked, their d absolutely sucks and they only have 2 top end forwards and a bunch of grinders. And they have Treliving actively making them a worse team with every transaction he makes.
Maybe he can take some accountability to for the no shows in the last 2 finals which allegedly has him questioning the organizations ability to win.
Maybe the org should question it too.
This is hyperbole but there’s plenty of accountability to go around and none of it seems to be falling on the captain and best player when the lights are brightest.
It’ll be a distraction for the Olympics too if it gets to that point to be honest.
Couldn’t agree more – the org has gotten him to the place where he can win Stanley 2x in a row, and it’s on him and the entire team they couldn’t get it across the finish line.
It’s easy to nitpick goaltending or defence or whatever but it’s a team sport. Maybe Connor wasn’t the inspirational leader this team needed to get the job done.
FWIW I just think they are waiting on the Kaprizov contract so they can come in above it.
How about some 3D chess…
Sorry, I’ll return to reality.
Yeah I almost posted this for funsies, but the absolutely no chance factor made it less fun.
Nobody gives up the farm for him without a signed extension.
Is everyone thinking the same thing but no one wants to say it? What is quite possibly going on here, the name that keeps coming up in almost every interview, a movie we’ve seen before. I’m telling myself to be hopeful that the pacing is about creating/evaluating local business opportunities behind the scenes, but I worry someone just wants/needs a bigger stage.
I really admire(d) Connor’s focus on just playing hockey. I suspected he was also instilling that culture in the team and around the league – Edm is a great town to focus and ply your trade, be a hockey player. There’s plenty of time to be celebs when you retire (which I’m convinced is what a lot of the big city boys struggle with). I hope that’s still his attitude.
Probably gonna get a time-out for this.
So if the worst comes to fruition do you trade for Mctavish and just give him 97 so the Mc stands and you have the 2 biggest bully centres in the league not named barkov?
If McDavid refuses to sign before the start of season, ask him to waive the no trade.
If he says no, use the media to make as much noise as possible and make the situation unbearable until he agrees.
The Oilers can not allow McDavid to walk for nothing, they must do what’s best for the team.
I’m in the belief McDavid resigns, but if not I don’t care about this playoff run with McDavid being included, that’s not best for the team.
Sell him and move on.
Agreed. You have to, screw this we love Connor and he can do what he wants.
McDavid for Barzal and Sorokin? Joking…. kind of.
If McDavid won’t be resigning and has a NMC, ask him what teams he’d go to. Rip off the bandaid, get some players back and move on.
He’s clearly moving on, so the team needs to make the “best” out of this grim situation.
Draisaitl is an incredible player/leader, on and off the ice and deserves a Cup just as much as McDavid. Don’t go scorched earth, round out your team and use that $16 million McDavid wanted for numerous players (goalie, 2C, young scoring winger, another strong RD)
I dont think he’d waive. The cost to acquire mcdavid would likely gut a team from being able to compete, at least for that year.
It’s a catch 22 which means 97 would play out this year trying to win then join Toronto in the offseason.
But when you look at TOR’s roster, that’s not a roster built for long-term contention. Their entire D corps is on the verge of aging out with next to no heir apparent on the horizon. Would be a bonkers top-6, though.
If he’s staying in Canada, I gotta imagine it’s MTL or OTT. MTL in particular has built a VERY strong future and has just about everything else set up for Connor to step into and contend for the rest of his career. OTT isn’t quite as well set-up, but have most of the pieces to have them contending for a while. Those two aside, there are only a couple US teams that I think really make sense.
Montreal makes perfect sense.
He can join with Sid as his 3rd line C.
Allure of Toronto and breaking the curse as local boy was my angle. I would point to Tree signing huberdeau if he was thinking about management competence.
I’d point to many things that Treliving has done if he was factoring managerial competence into this decision 😛
I genuinely think MTL would be the best fit for him. A high-end, young D corps (Hutson, Dobson, Guhle, Reinbacher), a very good bet at a quality G in Fowler, and a group of established, young Fs with a varied skillset (high-end two-way 2C, diminutive sniper, huge power forward, elite puck skill W, etc). Still gets to be closer to home and have the chance to break Canada’s Cup Curse.
I’m actually not dreading the possible post-McDavid future as much as some here.
While Toronto didn’t get much from Vegas for Marner’s rights, I imagine EDM could get a reasonable piece from an interested team. If Marner brought back Nic Roy, maybe OTT would offer Pinto or MTL a talented prospect like Beck or Hage.
That aside, the amount of cap space the team would have alongside the continued presence of Draisaitl and Bouchard would help the team transition into the new era. Savoie and hopefully Howard would have every opportunity to emerge as vital pieces while the cap space could be put towards a high end UFA or two (Kempe and Gustavsson, for example). Hell, maybe that space could be used to exploit another team’s cap crunch.
It won’t be the same as having McDavid but, if that’s how the chips fall, there’s still plenty of ways to keep the team competitive! Maybe they could even rediscover some of that old scrappy underdog identity, too 🙂
Honestly I can see the Edmonton fans turning on McDavid real fast if he and the team don’t get out to a strong start, and he continues to be noncommittal to staying beyond this year.
Everyone saw what happened with Marner last season.
Everyone knows that the pain of losing Gretzky still runs deep.
It’ll be an absolute circus.
Agreed, the fanbase could turn to the ugly side for sure. The other side of that is he could use that as an excuse a la Marner where he cited the extreme portion of Leafs nation as one of the reasons he chose to sign elsewhere. A real catch 22. He comes out as the victim and it creates a reason for other free agents not to sign/add Edmonton to cities they don’t want to be traded too. This whole scenario is putting the team/city in a no win situation. IMO
On a brighter note, our friend Kenny Holland has done a tidy bit of business this summer for the Kings.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6496153/2025/07/16/nhl-most-improved-2025/
Well, we know McDavid isn’t going to LA
I’m operating as though McDavid is signing here.
If they know or highly suspect that he isn’t, trade him and do it now.
Now with the Oilers history, I could seem them being dumb enough to play games on this…but let’s hope the owner’s kids know better than that.
Not sure how many times this has been mentioned in this blog post alone … McDavid has a full NMC, and he’s not going to waive it.
And, as is usually mentioned in response:
1 – You don’t know he wouldn’t waive and 2 – There are lots of ways to convince him.
Please be more specific … what are these “ways” you would use to convince him to waive his NMC.
Leak that McDavid won’t sign and let the fans chase the unloyal prima donna out.
Oh no… I missed McDavid’s comments yesterday, but if this is where we are, I have really enjoyed McDavid’s time with the Oilers, and hope it continues. I certainly hope Drai doesn’t follow him out the door.
Like others, I think the Oilers would be a much stronger team today with Broberg and Holloway in the fold.
Like others, if the Oilers had gotten Rantanen earlier this year, I think they could have won the cup… boy he was dynamite in the playoffs this year!
And finally, I don’t know if others feel the same way I do, but the Oilers locking up Trent Frederic for 8 seasons after a very ho-hum playoffs seems disappointing to me. All other variables held constant, if the Oilers had Marchand and the Panthers had Frederic, I think the Oilers would have won the cup in the summer.
Thanks Lowetide for your reasonable reporting of what seems to be a potential big disappointment sometime in the next 10 months.
If 97 had got any points in the last few finals games 2 years running we’d talk about his legacy. He wants to win but didn’t do anything when the chips were down.
We’ve had most of his prime. He’s still the best player and we’d be significantly worse off but him moving on isn’t just an organizational failure.
Allowing Colin Campbell’s son to get Brad Marchand because a defenceman on their team got PED’s, then allowed him to sign a 6 year deal after telling Toronto not to pull a deal till someones like 45 is the real smoking gun here.
This ^^. McDavid is just as much to blame for underperforming when it mattered most. Along with the thumb on the scale for Florida.
Rantanen did not want to sign here and we had no room to sign him
If McDavid doesn’t sign, then Jeff Jackson can also follow him out the door … what a mess that guy made in just a couple of months without a competent GM in place. His only purpose on the Oilers management team is to ensure that McDavid signs his next contract with the Oilers.
Doing laundry today I came across my 29 sweater hanging in my closet and it reminded me how how Gretzky never won a Cup after leaving Edmonton but Edmonton did.
Exactly – it took those Kings teams several years to figure what it takes to win playoff hockey. By that point, their top players started getting long in the tooth, and it was one and done for Finals appearances.
If McDavid leaves Edmonton then the same will happen with his next team, and he’ll probably end up being the Dan Marino of hockey.
Well, we’re definitely on the clock. Two weeks, that’s it. If McDavid doesn’t sign a contract by opening night, the odds based upon historical players in the same situation is against us. Right now. It doesn’t look good. It looks like a Tavares type of situation.
Walman says he’s very appreciative of the opportunity the Oilers game him. Very happy to play in a Canadian market. Very comfortable here. He loves it here, his wife loves it hear and the hockey is great. Will leave it at that.
He’s all for playing the right side and think he has chemistry with Nurse.
Walman trade was wonderful I don’t think we saw a 100% Walman after we acquired him 80%. Same goes for Frederic who I think was running at 60%. These 2 are going to be a big part of the nucleus for years to come.
I don’t even know where to start with this McDavid stuff. Right now nothing is adding up as in that interview today, on one hand he is saying the signing will happen when it feels right but he also seems very calculated with his wording and is setting the stage to leave next year. He wants to win the cup in Edmonton but he is pretty naive to think this won’t be a huge distraction, I mean fans in Calgary are already chanting “McDavid’s leaving” in a rookie game. It almost seems like an impossible proposition to win the cup with this hanging over the organizations head. Like does he expect Bowman to trade first round picks at the deadline if he thinks there is chance McDavid is leaving? Now it just seems the most likely scenario is a 2nd round exit, coming up short again and McDavid walking to free agency.
What does that chant in evey road barn, a full 50% of the games played, do to Leon?
A second round exit is one thing we could need Skinny Skinner to stand on his head just to make the playoffs this year.
Agreed, McDavid entering the season without a contract would not only set the stage for him riding out his contract and walking to free agency, but it would be a huge distraction for the team—not to mention no return on the asset would be brutal. Stamkos was the only similar situation where he ultimately signed with the team.
Coach more of an open book that the GM and is hopeful Hyman can play shortly after the season starts…..
Coach on the PK: Will be lots of personnel changes to the PK – will be testing out alot in camp but also structural changes – they were an outlier last year in how they killed, one of about 3 teams that killed the way they did – they will pivot to doing what most of the league.
Coach says they will give Frederic lots of center in camp.
Coach when asked about right wingers if Hyman is out – mentioned lots of possibilities but also wants a hard to play against checking 3rd line.
Coach on Philp – he can skate and move and make our team faster. he has size and can make our team bigger. There are other attributes he can bring but him playing fast and physical would help our group. Compared to what Kap brought when he was added in to the Vegas series – Philp can do that.
I’m among those who’ve avoided making comment before now.
It doesn’t look or sound good for ‘ol OurTown. Nothing I’ve seen or heard tells me McDavid is staying.
Personally, I trade a year of McD for whatever I can get. If McD can agree to a sign and trade, even short term, even better.
Those looking at other contenders are correct that few are prospect rich, but some simply have younger or deeper cores. Below the top five are teams that are close, or on the up, and adding McD is one helluva push. Some see fits w NJ, CAR.
TO even. sorta. if you squint and vomit.
I agree with our resident blogger that McDavid wants to win. I would speculate that McD is looking at teams that can get him there the next three years, four max, and that the last two finals have left a taste, pushing the drive to try something different. At the same time, the Oil *are* a good team, McDavid holds all the cards, so he can have his cake and eat it – compete this year, reassess.
It really is Stanley or bust.
Had they managed it even once with McDavid as captain, I don’t believe we’re having this conversation. Now I’m uncertain even a 2026 championship ensures he stays.
The biggest obstacle to winning a cup right now and the foreseeable future is the Florida Panthers, and I mean if that is all he wants does it make sense to move into the same conference as them or even division? Right now the west is wide open and will be for at least few more years
Who knows. Maybe McD imagines a fit with a new team that meets FLA head on and figures them out without having to first win a conference and push every last chip onto the table 🤷🏻♂️
Coach, when asked about Savoie/Howard and playing them with good player in camp:
Finding out how ready they are for the NHL. They are used to playing with other top players but, if they do that, they are also playing against top players. We need to find out of if they are ready for the NHL. Training camp is about earning a spot…. Not going to set positions in the lineup for them at this point.
When asked if they need to be in the top 6 to play, coach said no – the goal is for them to be top 6 in time but its not beneficial to put them in a position they are not ready for. Its important that they are in a good spot. Want to build them up. Hopefully down the road, when they are ready, they get in to a prominent role.
Doesn’t sound like either will be starting up the lineup….. sigh.
Those verbals are a really bad sign. It’s pretty clear to me he’s ready to move on.
Contrary to what others are saying below, I think you need to reset the team after he leaves. Move every good player (including Drai) and stock up draft pick and young players.
The team is struggling to win a cup with McDavid, no shot they get it done without him.
Coach asked about Walman and talked about how happy he is with the group as a whole.
Spoke about wanting to keep Jake on one side and that will be the right side. Likely to play with Nurse.
Heaped praises for a minute on Jake.
Coach says the group is a veteran group, have gone through alot – shouldn’t have any issue with Connor not being signed – shouldn’t be a distraction. They are very focused on the season.
Shouldn’t, but it will be . . . I can’t see a way that it won’t be a HUGE distraction.
I do wonder if we would be having this discussion if the Oilers were able to somehow acquire Rantanen at the deadline last year. Apparently (no source) we were in on him, just couldn’t put the pieces together. Although fitting $12M in with our roster would have been nearly impossible.
Bowman:
Regula is feeling great right now (injury recovery wise).
Need to get him back playing, need to watch him grow – we’re optimistic, when you look at his skill set, once we get him back up and running, we think he’ll be a useful player for us.
I think he is as good as gone, and not in a team-first way. If he pulls the Marner route, I’d say that is pretty selfish. It would be better for the team to arrange a trade now. If he won’t sign, time to take away the C.
Bowman:
Not looking at those Carter Hart.
Like where we are at with Stu and his off-season training and are going to go in to the season with that.
Bowman:
Open to Tomasek being a winger for one of the top two centers.
Pretty likely they open the season with Nurse/Walman as a pairing. Jake indicated he loves to play left or right but prefers to stay and not get moved around. The way Jake moves around and with his one-timer, its nice to have him on the right side as a threat. Good chance he and Nurse will be together.