I get the feeling that he really wants out but is torn about leaving the guys in the locker room and feels like he owes the organization a cup or something.
I'm sure he's still feeling a bit of loyalty to the franchise, but he also knows full well that he won't win a Cup with this current team. Therefore, all options are on the table and he's seriously considering leaving for greener pastures after this season.
I'm sure he's still feeling a bit of loyalty to the franchise, but he also knows full well that he won't win a Cup with this current team. Therefore, all options are on the table and he's seriously considering leaving for greener pastures after this season.
I think the pressure of McDavid's impending UFA contract is going to collapse the team, they know they need to have a hot start this year and can't fight for their lives with improbable 10 game win streaks.
Looking at their roster, you need Hyman to rebound back to his 50 goal season and Mango to somehow find his game again.
If Knob can squeeze everything he can out of this roster - i'll eat my hat but its not looking great for the oilers.
I get the feeling that he really wants out but is torn about leaving the guys in the locker room and feels like he owes the organization a cup or something.
Stockholm syndrome.
The organization has bent over backwards to meet his requests and demands and convinced and mobilized Snet to give him extraordinary coverage that only Leafs and Habs usually get. Not because he asked for it more because Lowe wanted him to be the next Gretzky in terms of cultural appeal. They wanted him to be the next Canadian star and if he left to the US because he wasn’t promoted, that would be a loss for Canada and Snet ratings. Lowe played Snet like fools in that regard, and it remains today with the coddling and cozying that MacLean and crew trip over themselves with McDavid.
But I’ve said this for a while, I think he’s let the Oilers know long ago that he was going to be leaving to go play somewhere else after this current contract is over. He was unhappy for years with things and had mid season meeting with him and his agent. It all got hashed out, and both sides agreed McDavid would commit to playing his full contract without issue or playing any negotiation games and the Oilers knew the window they had before he walks. No return is going to be big enough nor really possible with NTC.
Sure they’ll make an public attempt to change his mind after going to the Finals somehow two years in a row, to sign him short or long term, but really, this has been determined years ago, and the Oilers committed resources and continued to sell their soul to the Devil to get Kane and Perry and anyone else to win while having McDavid.
But as part of the arrangement, each side will fawn over each other so the mouth breathing fans don’t get upset at him or the organization. That is the stage we are in now as players migrate back to team activities.
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I know this videos been posted already and theres been tons of speculation, but Sam Reinhart who scored 4 in an elimination game against the Oilers, laughing at the question immediately at 1:50 to McDavid re: contract talks is hilarious. He knows how toxic it is playing in a market like Edmonton based on that question out the gate.
He says he wants to win in Edmonton, which I am sure is true because he is there for another season regardless. It says nothing about long term ambitions though.
The bottom line is that if he wanted an extension, he would have one already. It's not a difficult contract to figure out and he is completely in the driver's seat.
Obviously there is some internal conflict going on preventing him from signing at this point. How sure or unsure he is that he wants to stay is anyone's guess at this point, but not being committed 100% going into camp has to have them worried. I hope the Edmonton media brings it up often and it drive's him crazy.
The deal would have been signed July 1st if he truly wanted to be there. The Oilers aren’t holding things up, it’s McDavid. McDave can walk into Katz’s office and demand $16 shmil a year and it would be signed instantly.
The longer it lingers, the worse it is for Edmonton. I’d bet decent money that he’s playing for somebody else in 26/27
The deal would have been signed July 1st if he truly wanted to be there. The Oilers aren’t holding things up, it’s McDavid. McDave can walk into Katz’s office and demand $16 shmil a year and it would be signed instantly.
The longer it lingers, the worse it is for Edmonton. I’d bet decent money that he’s playing for somebody else in 26/27
I think he is stalling with the way he answers, and he is well coached on what to say.
I don't think he will sign in Edmonton this off-season. If they win the cup, he's gone. If they don't, maybe he gives them 1-2 more year if he thinks they have a chance.
I know this videos been posted already and theres been tons of speculation, but Sam Reinhart who scored 4 in an elimination game against the Oilers, laughing at the question immediately at 1:50 to McDavid re: contract talks is hilarious. He knows how toxic it is playing in a market like Edmonton based on that question out the gate.
Is that Principe asking the question?
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Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand.
I know this videos been posted already and theres been tons of speculation, but Sam Reinhart who scored 4 in an elimination game against the Oilers, laughing at the question immediately at 1:50 to McDavid re: contract talks is hilarious. He knows how toxic it is playing in a market like Edmonton based on that question out the gate.
Remind you what the question was? Bud, it was 40 seconds ago.
Dear diary. Damn I look good in red. I wonder which teams play in red?
I was barraged and assaulted by every reporter in Canada wanting to know my contract status. I channeled Leon and told myself that I was good enough, and smart enough to get through it. Once I finish this, I’m going to call Leon to tell him how I did. I don’t care if it’s the middle of the night where he is…I just need to hear his voice. I’ve also doubled my playlist by adding “heart is so jet lagged”. Sigh. I miss Leon. My agent tells me that isn’t enough reason to sign but I can’t play with team Canada forever. It was like an inquisition.
Speaking of inquisitions, I have a hilarious story to share diary!
Leon and I were at the Vatican and we brought along our posse of water carriers and fawnees for ego stroking, and some guy yells “hey it’s mcjesus and Leon and their wives!” Leon said to me “hey sexy C, that guy is wearing your work shirt.” He was right; an oilers shirt like the one I wear and it had my name and number. I don’t know where he got it but I was sure it wasn’t me because I was over here looking at him. Also, I was wearing my best outfit without colour that day. I only wear an oilers shirt on the ice because it would be uncomfortable to sleep in over top of my leafs pajamas.
Anyways, the guy and Leon and I were bundled away by the Swiss guards and interrogated. I was asked why he called me mcjesus. I said that is what 1 million unwashed call me. I was asked if I have ever performed miracles and I said a lot! I said that medical recovery was one of my super powers and was documented on my network Sportsnet. I’ve also been crucified by the press and I have no marks to show. I explained that the biggest miracle that I’ve performed was carrying a bunch of losers and no goods into the Stanley cup finals by myself…twice! Leon coughed at that one but I just gave him my “hush, sweetie” eyes and he was quiet.
They asked me if I could walk on water and I said even better…I could skate on it and do many crossovers. They looked really mad about that one!
It didn’t look good at all at this point but one of the sherpas (I think her name is Lauren) showed videos of me when I had 21 ailments and people praying for me to score.
Anyways, they let us off with a warning but kept the guy with my work shirt behind for something called a “Spanish inquisition”. I said fine, I didn’t need my hockey shirt back and I have plenty of fans just like that guy so they could keep him.
I guess the moral of the story is not to wear my shirt to the Vatican!
Ps diary. In case you missed it, I managed to get a bunch of Oiler games delayed because the original start time interfered with Lenard’s walkies. I told Gary that I honestly didn’t think that he could be so inconsiderate, but looks like he got it fixed up for me. Thanks Gary!
Chat tomorrow diary.
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Future historians will celebrate June 24, 2024 as the date when the timeline corrected itself.
Last edited by McG; 08-28-2025 at 12:28 PM.
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