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2025-2026 Off Season Thread - The Rehappening

Feels like there’s one of two options with McDavid.

Either he re-ups on a gargantuan eight-year deal in relatively short order—sometime during the first week of July.

Or he gone.

If it’s the latter, it’s going to be an absolute media circus of speculation between now and July 2026z
I also don't see them trading him under any circumstances. so he could walk for nothing
 
I can't reiterate this enough, and apologies to Arty and Worm when I say this because they live there.

But Edmonton is one of the worst places in North America to live, point blank period. Worst winters in the league by a fair margin, one of the smallest cities with one of the smallest metro areas, but unlike a bunch of other questionable ass cities with teams in the league, Edmonton has no affluent suburbs of note to escape to if that's your bag.

No one should be surprised if he decides to pull the pin and go elsewhere.

Can confirm it is a dump
 
Has to do what's best for his family, he says? I may know where they reside. And I may know which summer league he plays in. That happens to be where his family resides. Sort of makes one think.
He and his wife reside in Edmonton and said wife just opened a hoity-toity cocktail bar downtown and a high-end interior furnishings boutique.

Besides which, the only way Oilers ownership and management can avoid seeing the torches and pitchforks crowd outside the arena is by offering McDavid an offer he can't refuse. If he still refuses it, then he becomes the bad guy. But if management fucks around with the offer and tries to pinch pennies or cut corners, the fans will not forgive them. It'll be Pocklington trades Gretzky on steroids.

But no matter what happens, McDavid is never playing for the Leafs, at least not while he's still an elite player.
 
He and his wife reside in Edmonton and said wife just opened a hoity-toity cocktail bar downtown and a high-end interior furnishings boutique.

Besides which, the only way Oilers ownership and management can avoid seeing the torches and pitchforks crowd outside the arena is by offering McDavid an offer he can't refuse. If he still refuses it, then he becomes the bad guy. But if management fucks around with the offer and tries to pinch pennies or cut corners, the fans will not forgive them. It'll be Pocklington trades Gretzky on steroids.

But no matter what happens, McDavid is never playing for the Leafs, at least not while he's still an elite player.
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I also don't see them trading him under any circumstances. so he could walk for nothing


He’s got a full NMC, so they couldn’t trade him without his say-so anyway.

And considering the West sucks and they’re coming off two finals appearances, the smart thing to do anyway would be to go all-in on winning next year.

If he’s leaving, next year could be their last best shot at winning a Cup for a very long time. And then you’d also have the hope that if you do manage to win, that convinces him to stay.

All that said, I still fully expect Connor to do the good ole Canadian hockey man thing and re-sign in Edmonton for eight years come July 1st.
 
FWIW if McDavid leaves I think he goes to a place that offers

High quality of living
Limited to no spotlight for a hockey player
Team that has shown ability to win or at least make sound decisions

McDavid seems like a vanilla dude that has been worn down by the incompetence, and limelight. And no one wants to live in Edmonton
 
There could be a real hockey trade between Toronto and Edmonton. Marner for McDavid (when McDavid doesn't re-up July 1st)
 
All I gotta say if Marner goes to Edmonton, he gets to play with Draisaitl, his homie Hyman, and easily make the playoffs. Great for legacy
 
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