The next few months will be a crucial period for the Edmonton Oilers. After reaching the Stanley Cup final the last two seasons, the club has fallen behind other Western Conference powerhouses. After winning just four of their last 10 games, the Oilers are currently seventh in the standings. Not only are they barely hanging on to a postseason spot, but they have played more games than the teams just behind them.
Edmonton’s precarious situation could end up affecting the future of superstar Connor McDavid. Widely considered to be the best player on the planet, McDavid signed a two-year, $25 million ($12.5 million AAV) contract extension with the Oilers in October 2025. The short-term, team-friendly deal would seemingly keep the forward in Edmonton until the summer of 2028. This, however, may not exactly be the case.
The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun is now reporting that McDavid could jump ship as early as the summer of 2026. According to the NHL insider, the star agreed to the extension to try to win a championship within the next two seasons and then reassess his future in 2027. If he left before his contract was up, he could at least get Edmonton something back in a blockbuster trade.
Nevertheless, this plan could very well change if the Oilers struggle in the coming months. “If the Oilers flame out in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs this spring, I can’t discount how [McDavid] will feel about that, about the team’s ability to win, and about his place in it,” claimed LeBrun. “The most likely scenario is waiting until the summer of ’27 to revisit his future. But I can’t dismiss what the disappointment of a first-round elimination might change.”
Connor McDavid is Desperately Trying to Win Cup with Edmonton Oilers
GettyThe Oilers have suffered defeat in the last two Stanley Cup finals.
McDavid would clearly prefer to win a championship in Edmonton. Ahead of the recent Olympics in Italy, the superstar penned an open letter to fans of both the Oilers and Team Canada. In the sprawling piece, McDavid emphasized that he wants to win, and win in Edmonton.
“I want to be remembered as a winner. But not just anywhere. Here,” proclaimed the forward. “To be in this city during a Cup run, to feel that buzz … it just wouldn’t be the same somewhere else.”
But what happens if McDavid clearly cannot win a Cup in Edmonton? If LeBrun’s scenario for the upcoming postseason pans out, the superstar could have a major decision to make. He may find he has to move on to give himself the best chance of winning a title.
Oilers may not Have Given Superstar Enough Help at Trade Deadline
Oilers GM Stan Bowman attempted to give McDavid help at the recent trade deadline. Edmonton added defenseman Connor Murphy and center Jason Dickinson to its roster. The moves should give the team a defensive boost, both at five-on-five and on the penalty kill. Despite this, The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus specifically named McDavid a trade deadline ‘loser’ in a recent column.
The reporter claimed that Bowman did not give McDavid and fellow star forward Leon Draisaitl enough offensive help. Edmonton does not have a ton of firepower outside of the dynamic duo. Because of this, the Oilers could very well struggle to keep up against the top teams. If the club cannot make a deep playoff run, it could soon be without the best player in the world.
Connor McDavid May Contemplate Oilers Future in Summer