Connor McDavid to the Detroit Red Wings heats up: "He will be closer to home" says insider
Photo credit: NHL.com
A report linked the Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid to the Detroit Red Wings for the 2026 free agency.
The idea of seeing McDavid leave the Edmonton Oilers feels weird, but all options are on the table, as he himself stated in interviews.
"All options are on the table and that would mean length of term, short term, long term, no term. All options are on the table as I've alluded to, so that would include a short-term deal."
If he were to look for another team, few organizations would be in a position to get him.
However, a report suggested that the Detroit Red Wings could be a great fit for a few reasons.
Connor McDavid Linked To Detroit Red Wings in Latest Offseason Prediction: Elliotte Friedman chimes in
The Red Wings currently have just under $12 million in cap space this season and could free up another $12.65 million by letting go of Cam Talbot, Ben Chiarot, Justin Holl, and Erik Gustafsson next offseason.
That would be more than enough to sign McDavid to a lucrative deal while selling him on the team's young core as a reason to believe in its future.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman recently discussed McDavid's future on his 32 Thoughts podcast, saying the toll of the back-to-back Stanley Cup Final losses changed the way he sees his future in the NHL:
"I've been told now by several people in the aftermath of that defeat, the second one, [McDavid] has become even more fanatical about winning, like all he cared about was winning before, now he's in another stratosphere about it.
The only prescription is a Stanley Cup, and I think he sees it as he's got to go to another level, and the team has to be able to continue at another level."
"I think that's exactly what this all comes down to, is that he thinks this team can win now, but he's not convinced that, if he signs for any kind of term three to five years from now, that he believes the team has the staying power now. The two losses have angered him and disappointed him and pained him so much that he will not allow himself to be put into a situation where he doesn't think he's capable of winning."
The only prescription is a Stanley Cup, and I think he sees it as he's got to go to another level, and the team has to be able to continue at another level."
"I think that's exactly what this all comes down to, is that he thinks this team can win now, but he's not convinced that, if he signs for any kind of term three to five years from now, that he believes the team has the staying power now. The two losses have angered him and disappointed him and pained him so much that he will not allow himself to be put into a situation where he doesn't think he's capable of winning."
Detroit has a lot of young talent on the team, cap space, and is a lot closer to his family in Ontario than Edmonton is, which could come into play as well.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 6 | 786 ANSWERS Connor McDavid to the Detroit Red Wings heats up: "He will be closer to home" says insider Do you think Connor McDavid will leave the Edmonton Oilers after the next season? | ||
| Yes | 398 | 50.6 % |
| No | 388 | 49.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
