Edmonton is No Good XII: "I Dunno.. it's Just Not Good."

[BigThief]

Very rarely do player play less than during a contact year but it is going to be a major distraction during the season as every media member in every city for every outlet asks the same question while attempting to put their cute spin on it.

[browna]

Again, my theory is him and the Oilers negotiated a few years ago that he was going to play out this contract and leave. No drama, no negotiations and McDavid would tread carefully in answering questions (“I want to win in Edmonton” - of course, until you aren’t in Edmonton anymore). And the team talk about “Hoping to sign” (what else can they say?) to keep up appearances.

He wasn’t happy with his early Oiler years, and, more importantly, wants to play somewhere east in his career and the Oilers had their shot.

That understanding between the sides gave the Oilers full notice to try and win in the subsequent years until he did leave and allowed the Oilers to plan for future (Driasital).

I guess things could change but I doubt it. Could he sign a short term deal? Maybe but wasting another few years of his prime when his intention since before being drafted was to play east, and all the work in the decision to say he’s playing out this contract?

How he departs and how to minimize the distraction in the last season is also likely already been discussed so will see how it plays out. Oilers have a lot of the media in their pockets usually so they can help craft the message.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by browna

Again, my theory is him and the Oilers negotiated a few years ago that he was going to play out this contract and leave. No drama, no negotiations and McDavid would tread carefully in answering questions (“I want to win in Edmonton” - of course, until you aren’t in Edmonton anymore). And the team talk about “Hoping to sign” (what else can they say?) to keep up appearances.

He wasn’t happy with his early Oiler years, and, more importantly, wants to play somewhere east in his career and the Oilers had their shot.

That understanding between the sides gave the Oilers full notice to try and win in the subsequent years until he did leave and allowed the Oilers to plan for future (Driasital).

I guess things could change but I doubt it. Could he sign a short term deal? Maybe but wasting another few years of his prime when his intention since before being drafted was to play east, and all the work in the decision to say he’s playing out this contract?

How he departs and how to minimize the distraction in the last season is also likely already been discussed so will see how it plays out. Oilers have a lot of the media in their pockets usually so they can help craft the message.

Thing is, they have these kinds of 'Gentleman's Agreements' in Soccer all the time...they almost never work out.

The problem stemming from...'who did he have said agreement with? Are they still in a position to honour that agreement? Was that 3 or 4 management teams ago?'

Things like that.

[cam_wmh]

I wonder if he considers that if his future team acquires him via trade, how that would affect their winning potential (depth/prospects etc). VS, signing July 1, 26. It would crush the Oilers, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by browna

Again, my theory is him and the Oilers negotiated a few years ago that he was going to play out this contract and leave..

What type of insane theory is this?

[browna]

Originally Posted by Locke

Thing is, they have these kinds of 'Gentleman's Agreements' in Soccer all the time...they almost never work out.

The problem stemming from...'who did he have said agreement with? Are they still in a position to honour that agreement? Was that 3 or 4 management teams ago?'

Things like that.

Well the “agreement” isn’t anything more (IMO) than McDavid saying years in advance to the Oilers that he wasn’t going to renew with the Oilers when this contract is up.
Gave the Oilers the chance to plan the years they had left with him and how to figure things out after he’s gone.