Quote:
Originally Posted by dissentowner
First, they paid him well to do it. Second, he was young and the team was projected to have the trajectory to possibly win multiple Cups. Third, he was a lot less assertive back then and I am sure he had pressure from those former Oiler legends. Fourth, they would give him anything he wanted and cater to his every whim.
I am sure he also felt an obligation to Edmonton as the team that drafted him to try and deliver a SC and with all the hype and pampering I am sure he wanted to. Now he has been through the ringer there and the end goal was always to play for the Leafs eventually. He is going to be able to walk away feeling like he did everything he could to win a Cup for Edmonton but now he has earned as a UFA his right to go play where he wants.
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If I remember correctly, Bobby Orr’s agency used to represent McDavid when he entered the league and when he signed that contract. Pure speculation on my part but if Bobby himself ever did talk to McDavid about signing with the oilers, it would not surprise me if he used is own experience with injuries as a cautionary tale in persuading him to sign a max contract at max dollars. While McDavid is no Bobby Orr (not even close and never will be), both their games were built on being so much better of a skater than anyone else in the league. One or two really bad injuries and that advantage McDavid has could be gone… so for your own financial interests, sign to the max in years and dollars. That doesn’t mean you’re stuck there. If you ever want out, just make it public and Oiler’s management will be forced to trade you. You also have a NMC so you’ll control where you go.