Former NHL player James Wisniewski recently ignited speculation by suggesting that Connor McDavid might leave the Edmonton Oilers to join their rivals, the Los Angeles Kings, a transfer reminiscent of Wayne Gretzky’s surprising switch to L.A. in 1988. McDavid is entering the final year of his eight-year, $100 million contract, and if he chooses not to renew, he will become an unrestricted free agent next summer, fueling ongoing debates about his future.
Predictions of Turmoil if McDavid Joins the Kings
On the Empty Netters podcast, Wisniewski proposed that Edmonton might once again experience the shock of losing a hockey icon.
“Do you think Edmonton’s going to have a duplicate Wayne Gretzky? I think it’s going to happen,”
he stated. Wisniewski warned that McDavid’s exit could provoke immense unrest in the city, even suggesting civil disorder.
“I’m being serious. I think they would have riots. Because the whole city burns down,”
he warned.
NHL analyst Dan Power shared similarly grim views, emphasizing the depth of the impact McDavid’s departure could have. While Gretzky’s move to the Kings came after four Stanley Cup victories, Power noted that McDavid’s leaving could hurt more deeply, as the Oilers have yet to win a championship during his time with the team. “Edmonton would cease to exist,” Power remarked, capturing the scale of the potential loss.
Power elaborated on the emotional blow, saying,
“If McDavid leaves now — just as they’re on the verge of becoming true contenders — it might be more catastrophic. It would be horrifying.”
He further likened the potential fallout to an almost religious tragedy, stating,
“It would be like our Lord and Savior coming back and dying again.”
Potential Contract Strategies to Keep McDavid in Edmonton
With the possibility of losing their star player looming, NHL analyst Jason Gregor has floated the idea of a short-term extension to retain McDavid. Speaking on Oilers Nation, Gregor suggested,
“What if McDavid signs a one-year extension this August with a $14.6 million AAV? This contract would be for the 2026-27 season.”
Gregor explained that this approach could be beneficial for the Oilers, especially with the salary cap expected to increase from $104 million to $113 million in the following year. This financial flexibility might allow Edmonton to maintain key supporting players around McDavid to strengthen their Stanley Cup chances.
He also highlighted the alternative of a longer deal, noting that if McDavid agreed to a three-year contract averaging $17 million annually, his cap hit over the next four years would be $16.4 million per season, a figure that could balance loyalty and team-building efforts moving forward.
The Uncertain Future and Its Effects on Edmonton’s Hopes
As Connor McDavid’s contract situation unfolds, fans in Edmonton are anxiously watching, aware that his decision could reshape the franchise’s trajectory. The possibility of losing a player of McDavid’s caliber to the Kings echoes painful memories of past heartbreak, underscoring the tension and unease throughout the city. The next moves by McDavid and the Oilers’ management will be critical in determining whether Edmonton’s hopes for a Stanley Cup will continue or falter.