The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly a team to watch in the Connor McDavid sweepstakes.
McDavid is arguably the best player in the NHL and is entering the final year of his eight-year, $100 million deal. He is eligible to sign an extension with the Edmonton Oilers on July 1, but he could wait a year and test free agency in 2026.
If McDavid hits the open market, NHL insider Adam Gretz of Bleacher Report links the star forward to the Maple Leafs.
“The Maple Leafs already have their own superstar and No. 1 center in Auston Matthews. But if McDavid ever does become available, Toronto would have to find a way to get involved in the bidding,” Gretz wrote. “After all, how often would Canada’s biggest hockey market have a chance to acquire Canada’s best player? Especially one that was born in the Greater Toronto Area?
“And if the Maple Leafs keep fizzling out in the playoffs, they’ll be under even more pressure to keep making dramatic changes to fix that,” Gretz added. “They could have a dominant 1-2 punch of McDavid and Matthews down the middle, or they could do something bold by trading Matthews for a haul and replacing him with McDavid at the top. That wouldn’t be a very NHL-type of thing for a team to do, but McDavid hitting free agency would likely change plenty of teams’ approach.”
Toronto would have to clear cap space to sign McDavid. But, he is from the Toronto area, so it would be a chance to play at home and potentially bring the Stanley Cup back to the Maple Leafs.
McDavid recorded 26 goals and 74 assists for 100 points last season with the Oilers.
Maple Leafs Named Top Threat for McDavid
McDavid is likely to re-sign with the Oilers, but if he doesn’t, it will get interesting on what his future holds.
The star forward will be highly sought after if he reaches free agency. Ahead of his potential free agency on July 1, BetCanada.com gave the Maple Leafs the best odds of signing McDavid if he leaves Edmonton.
The outlet gives Toronto a 7.4% chance of signing McDavid, while the outlet gives him a 67.7% chance of re-signing in Edmonton.
“That’s why we give the Oilers -210 odds of keeping him, as the superstar enters the final year of his deal that’s set to earn $12.5 million, with the star-studded Toronto Maple Leafs being the leading outside suitor, at +1250,” the article read.
McDavid is a three-time NHL MVP and five-time points leader.
McDavid Hopeful Oilers Will Get Back to Cup Final
Edmonton and McDavid lost in the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back years.
After the first year, McDavid and Edmonton were adamant they would get back to the Finals, which they did. However, after the Oilers lost again, McDavid didn’t seem as sure the team would be back.
“I think so,” McDavid said. “We still have a lot of confidence and belief. I don’t think people thought we were going to make it this far. We believe and we came up just short again.”
McDavid is now 0-2 in the Stanley Cup Finals.
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