Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbull8
What percentage would you put on McDiver leaving? at least from what you're hearing
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95%.
Here are the things that would have to happen imo for him to stay.
The first is easy and in Edmonton's favour, they can't win a Cup. I think there is a part of McDavid that wants to win a Cup for the Oilers fans before he bolts. I don't think them failing in that will stop him though.
Second, he would have to split with his fiance because everything I have heard is she does not like Edmonton and feels they are wasting her man's talents and it is not a desirable place to be.
Third, he would have to believe that no big market especially Toronto would not be in on him and willing to pay him big money.
McDavid gew up obsessed with the Leafs and he still is. The draw to go back home and not only play for Toronto but be the hero that ends the Stanley Cup drought there is the dream. He doesn't have to worry about that, any team will make moves to accommodate him.
Fourth, they offer him the most ridiculous contract in the history of sports. I don't think that will work though, he is smart enough to know that amount of cap hit would cripple the team badly.
Here is the bottom line, he doesn't want to be in Edmonton long term and his fiance doesn't either. I think he will feel he gave Edmonton plenty of years of his best hockey to try and win and he has fulfilled his end of the bargain as best he could. He will have earned the right to be a free agent and play where he wants to play, in the end it's his life and career. This is a guy who grew up wanting to play for Toronto, it's where his heart is. The fact he can become a local legend in his own home city if he can end their Cup draught just seals the deal. Toronto is also the centre of the hockey universe to boot, I don't see any way possible he doesn't end up there.