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

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Sofa GM

Teams can always make changes and move players to make space but how many teams have the pieces to be a contender and still have space. Its likely a short list, but these teams could likely make it work:

- Carolina
- NYR
- Colorado

Plenty of teams could make the room. Dallas managed to sign Rantanen and the Knights just signed Marner. It just means that some other players on the roster may have to be moved out.

[RedHot25]

Yes, a few weeks ago they had a reporter from NY who covers the Rangers, and he didn't even hide it - the Rangers had already picked up on this and were quietly working on making sure they had the space to sign him, if (when?) he comes available, either as a UFA or via trade.

Its on .

[Knut]

Treliving also said to the press yesterday that they are going to make sure they have flexibility for next offseason.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Which teams will have McDavid cap space again?

I feel like the more we talk about it, the more real it becomes. Apparently we're also ruffling Staples and Stauffer's feathers, so all the better!

Went to Puckpedia and looked at 26/27 and there are currently 32 teams with 16.1M or greater cap space. Obviously there will teams that need to sort their stuff out, but I would imagine any team with over 24M would/could make it work...so that leaves around 27 teams. 19 teams have over 30M.

[Major Major]

It's not obvious to me reading the Rishaug interview what McDavid plans to do or if he's made up his mind.

What is obvious is that he resents having to do interviews like this. He really can't help being a bit of a wanker in this setting. He hates this #### and is bad at it.

So then, why show up without a deal? Only one answer I can think of.

[dissentowner]

These other teams can think it's on all they want, everything is tracking exactly how I told everyone it would. He is going to Toronto.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Sofa GM

Teams can always make changes and move players to make space but how many teams have the pieces to be a contender and still have space. Its likely a short list, but these teams could likely make it work:

- Carolina
- NYR
- Colorado

- Calgary

[Reggie Dunlop]

The popcorn is a-poppin' everybody.

DIG IN!

[CroFlames]

Would the Oilers rather McDavid walk so they aren't forever known as the club that traded Gretzky AND McDavid?

[topfiverecords]

The sooner he walks the sooner they get to cheer for lottery balls again.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

These other teams can think it's on all they want, everything is tracking exactly how I told everyone it would. He is going to Toronto.

Gimme a break bud.

McDavid himself is probably somewhat undecided, yet you know exactly how it's going to play out?

[indes]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Gimme a break bud.

McDavid himself is probably somewhat undecided, yet you know exactly how it's going to play out?

Ya I highly doubt he's 100% in any direction. It's a massive decision with a lot of variables to think about (money, legacy, family, friendships, risk). It's a tough call for sure but my solace is that I think Edmonton is ####ed regardless of what happens. I don't think Edmonton is going to get it done so it won't hurt my feelings if he wastes his entire career there.

[Reggie Dunlop]

McDavid and Draisaitl in a package deal.

McDavid runs out the contract, but demands the new team trade for Draisaitl, who will naturally waive.

Oilers get Bupkis in return because it is a distressed seller.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

But you just know their media pigs will essentially try to pester him into putting pen to ink, in increasingly aggressive ways as the year progresses.

They'll probably cycle through every form of persuasion/coercion including crying, threatening, offering up their daughters as handmaidens and toe sucking.

[Bob Loblaw]

Originally Posted by browna

Very calculated comments from McDavid these days. Obviously he knows this line of questioning was coming and is ready with all the comments.

Same with the Oilers, who are putting on a brave face.

All parties know how this is going to play out. Oilers media either dumb as rocks or very good actors about being as surprised, as desperate sounding as they suddenly are.

My money is on “dumb as rocks”.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Gimme a break bud.

McDavid himself is probably somewhat undecided, yet you know exactly how it's going to play out?

I have for over a year. So has he. What are you going to say when I am right?

[FanSince'01]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

The sooner he walks the sooner they get to cheer for lottery balls again.

If McDavid walks I think the Oilers end up in the mushy middle for the bulk of Leon's contract, which is perhaps better than them tanking because they won't be good enough to be any kind of a threat and won't be bad enough to acquire (and then ruin) a bunch of top prospects.

And they'll remain delusional about their chances, thinking that because they still have Draisaitl and Bouchard they can still compete.

[Manhattanboy]

Why wouldn’t he go to NYR? He would become a national sports icon.

I’m not at all up to speed on their prospect pool but man the bright lights of New York. There’s nothing like it.

And as I’ve always said my absolute dream final would be Flames v NYR. Can you imagine walking through the streets of Midtown during the finals sporting your Flames jersey?

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by FanSince'01

If McDavid walks I think the Oilers end up in the mushy middle for the bulk of Leon's contract, which is perhaps better than them tanking because they won't be good enough to be any kind of a threat and won't be bad enough to acquire (and then ruin) a bunch of top prospects.

And they'll remain delusional about their chances, thinking that because they still have Draisaitl and Bouchard they can still compete.

Or does Leon demand a trade.
Is he the guy that would want to prove he can be "the guy" or if McDavid isn't there is his interest in sticking around a lot less.

[FanSince'01]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Or does Leon demand a trade.
Is he the guy that would want to prove he can be "the guy" or if McDavid isn't there is his interest in sticking around a lot less.

I feel like Leon would want to try to prove he can be "the guy" and the Oilers would butter him up enough out of fear of losing him too that'd you'd probably see him stick around for at least another few years (fruitlessly) before wanting out.

But on the other hand, he never looks happy in any interview he gives there so maybe it would be an immediate "get me out of here"