Is Connor McDavid’s Time in Edmonton Coming to an End?

Like most hockey fans, I’m pretty shocked that we are less than three weeks away from the 2025-26 NHL season, and Connor McDavid still hasn’t re-signed with the Edmonton Oilers. Of course, this whole post could be outdated tomorrow if he puts pen to paper, but based on his recent comments, and if I had to predict whether McDavid is an Oiler this time next year, I think I would lean towards no.

After back-to-back losses in the Stanley Cup Final, this summer was the most important in Oilers franchise history, and they blew it. The Isaac Howard addition is nice, and heck, he could even push for the Calder if he ends up playing alongside McDavid. But outside of that, it’s hard to say the Oilers improved going into this season.

I just simply cannot believe they are running it back in net with Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. I am not even saying Edmonton needed to land an elite goaltender, but at least do something different to show McDavid you’re serious about improving this roster. By doing nothing, I just believe you're showing your star player you aren't overly concerned about putting the best possible roster around him.

And because of that, if I’m McDavid, why would I commit long-term?

That brings us to the big question: if not Edmonton, where could the 2026-27 NHL season begin?

Spittin’ Chiclets floated this earlier in the summer, and I actually agree; I think the Tampa Bay Lightning actually make the most sense.

Yes, I know. The Lightning has little to no cap space. But good organizations always find a way. If you told me this time last year that Mitch Marner would be a Vegas Golden Knight, I wouldn’t have believed you either. Yet here we are.

Assuming they don't make a deep run in the playoffs once again, I think Tampa makes big swings next summer to extend its championship window, and no move would be bigger than landing McDavid. Imagine McDavid on a team with players like Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Brandon Hagel, and maybe most importantly to him, a netminder like Andrei Vasilevskiy. The fit feels almost too perfect.

Also, if McDavid isn’t re-signed by the time the Olympics roll around, he’ll be playing under John Cooper for Team Canada, who is also Tampa Bay’s head coach. That connection could plant seeds that make the Lightning the frontrunner for McDavid’s services.

McDavid leaving Edmonton once felt unthinkable, but now, it feels like anything is on the table. Unless the Oilers pull off a major course correction or make another run to the Stanley Cup Final this season (which they very well could), don’t be surprised if the best player in the world is wearing a different uniform this time next year.