NHL analyst Gene Principe has confidently forecasted that Connor McDavid will secure the Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers, drawing parallels to Wayne Gretzky’s triumphs in the 1980s. This prediction came during Principe’s July 16 appearance on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, where he outlined how McDavid is on a path resembling that of Gretzky’s championship journey.
Gene Principe Sees McDavid Following Gretzky’s Championship Footsteps
Principe explained that McDavid’s progression reflects an evolution similar to Gretzky’s during the Oilers’ 1980s dynasty. He recalled a period when fans dreamed of a repeat of the Oilers’ Stanley Cup wins shortly after a loss, likening McDavid’s situation to that era.
“It’s the evolution of a guy people are comparing with Wayne Gretzky… I think we just had this dream sequence that the Oilers were going to win and be like ’84, ’85, you know, they lost in ’83. They came back to win in ’84, against the same team just like the Oilers did back then.” —Gene Principe, NHL Analyst
Emphasizing his conviction, Principe stressed that McDavid is destined to capture Stanley Cups much like Gretzky did, highlighting the shared expectations for greatness.
“I firmly believe, like Wayne, he’s going to win Stanley Cups, as well.” —Gene Principe, NHL Analyst
At the same time, Principe acknowledged the immense pressure that comes with being a superstar of McDavid’s caliber, noting the relentless demands for him to perform and lead consistently.
“I think sometimes people just forget the pressure just waking up, you’re Connor McDavid and people expect you to be a superstar every game, and they expect you to win scoring titles and score goals…” —Gene Principe, NHL Analyst
The analyst’s confidence is tied to McDavid’s growth both on and off the ice, suggesting that if McDavid’s career mirrors Gretzky’s progress, he may cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in NHL history.
McDavid Projected as the Top Free Agent for 2026
In a July 4 article by The Athletic, Connor McDavid was identified as the most significant member of the 2026 unrestricted free agent (UFA) class. The piece evaluated the prospects who will become UFAs soon, listing other prominent players like Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild, Jack Eichel representing the Vegas Golden Knights, and Kyle Connor from the Winnipeg Jets.
The Athletic highlighted the pressure facing Edmonton’s management to retain their franchise cornerstone, especially after consecutive appearances in the Stanley Cup Final.
“It feels unlikely the Oilers captain is going to walk for nothing as a free agent a year from now after back-to-back trips to the final, but there is pressure on Edmonton’s front office to show the fact of their franchise that they can continue to improve and contend in this window.” —The Athletic
This underscores the urgency within the Oilers organization to maintain their competitive edge by fully supporting McDavid and reinforcing the roster to secure a championship swiftly.
Failure to act decisively could put the team at risk of losing their star player to free agency, an outcome that would significantly disrupt Edmonton’s ambitions. As the report added, negotiations appear focused on a short-term extension for McDavid, though nothing is finalized yet.
“A short-term extension in the fall feels like the most likely outcome at this point, but nothing is settled.” —The Athletic
Oilers supporters eagerly await a long-term commitment from McDavid, which would signify his dedication to pursuing multiple Stanley Cups in Edmonton and help stabilize the franchise’s future.