2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Man. McDavid on Team Canada makes it way less fun to root for them.

I actually couldn't even really celebrate like I wanted to during 4 nations. Was happy but sorta not. Can't wait until he's out of Edmonton.

[Rhett44]

I believe McDavid probably wants to leave Edmonton. However, I think there is a good chance he stays. He seems like the type of player who would be very worried about Oilers fans being angry at him and getting booed.

I don't think he wants to "hurt" his brand. His wife also just opened a restaurant in Edmonton.

I am hopeful he leaves but it seems unlikely imo.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by MegaErtz

Obviously he has to move to the USA if he wants to win a Cup, but surely the Flames will offer him six years and $125m if he hits free agency?

If he hits free agency, I think every team in the league with cap space would offer him something, including the Flames. The chances of him actually signing in Calgary would be so small, it's not even worth thinking about, but just to entertain the thought, his chances of winning in Calgary over the next several years would probably be better than in Edmonton given that the Flames have a really good prospect base, an elite goalie, and more 1st rounders that could be used in trades to acquire additional players.

Imagine what a team that finished 26th in goals while getting 96 points and missed the playoffs by 20 seconds could do by adding a 130 point center. IMO, that team would be way better than the current Oilers.

Having said that, there are a lot of teams that would give him a better chance to win, not just the Flames. Also, even though I don't expect him to fall off quickly in production over the next few years, the majority of his next contract will be post-apex. There is a good chance that he doesn't have many 120+ point seasons left in him. He could, but it's a gamble just the way hockey players age and decline.

I feel gross for even thinking about it because McDavid is so unlikeable, but he would give any team a chance to win.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

I believe McDavid probably wants to leave Edmonton. However, I think there is a good chance he stays. He seems like the type of player who would be very worried about Oilers fans being angry at him and getting booed.

I don't think he wants to "hurt" his brand. His wife also just opened a restaurant in Edmonton.

I am hopeful he leaves but it seems unlikely imo.

If he stays it will be for a couple years as a favour to his friend. You think he is worried about his brand in Edmonton when he can be the golden boy in Toronto? He doesn't care what those backwater smelly hicks think about him. Also, players or their wives open up businesses and hobbies all the time in hockey, you just don't hear about it all the time like a high profile player like McDavid. You think she can't open a restaurant up in Toronto? And make 10X as much there? There is zero and I mean absolutely zero chance that McDavid signs a long term deal in Edmonton. Like none.

[Tbull8]

Has that much changed since you were insistent he was gone? Gotta imagine draisaitl staying was a big factor

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

"Every intention to win in Edmonton" can simply refer to the 2025/26 season only.

He can win it in Edmonton as the away team.

Now what do I have to give to see that?

[Ba'alzamon]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

He can win it in Edmonton as the away team.

Now what do I have to give to see that?

No thanks. That would require Edmonton to make the finals again.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

Has that much changed since you were insistent he was gone? Gotta imagine draisaitl staying was a big factor

I would bet that when Draisaitl signed, McDavid was probably more inclined to stay. They probably still thought at the time that with the power of friendship, they could do anything. After another finals loss and running it back with Skinner, a maxed out payroll, lame prospect base, and fewer assets to acquire talent, he doesn't see a lot of long term potential with the Oilers.

[3thirty]

Hopefully Weegs can tell all the Olympic camp guys about the Arena he got built and sell them on Calgary.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Ba'alzamon

No thanks. That would require Edmonton to make the finals again.

Or another Pandemic. Not sure which one Id pick if forced to make a choice.

[Buzzard]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Draisaitl is begging him to stay and putting pressure on him to sign long term but he doesn't want that. It might work and he might sign a two year deal to try and help his friend run a Cup but if he does I don't expect it until he sees how this year unfolds. I don't expect a contact to be even discussed until after the season is over. Here is how I see it right now, if the Oilers win the Cup this year he is 100% gone. If the Oilers don't get to at least the West finals he is also gone. If they make the finals and lose yet again or lose in the West finals in a close series I can see Drai suckering him into staying a few more years. I can say with certainty if him and Draisaitl were not so close this wouldn't even be a discussion on if he leaves or not.

I'm not trying to stir anything up, but were you not "told" he would be not re-signing there period? Honest question.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Or another Pandemic. Not sure which one Id pick if forced to make a choice.

Need fans in attendance for maximum despair.

[Buzzard]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Or another Pandemic. Not sure which one Id pick if forced to make a choice.

I'd choose pandemic. Rush hour was beautiful for a year or so.

[CedarMeter]

Edit.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Buzzard

I'd choose pandemic. Rush hour was beautiful for a year or so.

Imagine that empty road drive while listening to 880 CHED ...

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

If he hits free agency, I think every team in the league with cap space would offer him something, including the Flames. The chances of him actually signing in Calgary would be so small, it's not even worth thinking about, but just to entertain the thought, his chances of winning in Calgary over the next several years would probably be better than in Edmonton given that the Flames have a really good prospect base, an elite goalie, and more 1st rounders that could be used in trades to acquire additional players.

Imagine what a team that finished 26th in goals while getting 96 points and missed the playoffs by 20 seconds could do by adding a 130 point center. IMO, that team would be way better than the current Oilers.

Having said that, there are a lot of teams that would give him a better chance to win, not just the Flames. Also, even though I don't expect him to fall off quickly in production over the next few years, the majority of his next contract will be post-apex. There is a good chance that he doesn't have many 120+ point seasons left in him. He could, but it's a gamble just the way hockey players age and decline.

I feel gross for even thinking about it because McDavid is so unlikeable, but he would give any team a chance to win.

As gross as the thought might be... can you imagine the ocean of tears that would flow down the #2 highway if McDavid were to join the Flames? Or the outrage from those fans if the Flames won the cup with 'their' superstar.

It would be similar to how Flames fans feel about with the Panthers but magnified by the infinite power of BoA hatred.

...

I could get onboard with that.

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by Buzzard

I'm not trying to stir anything up, but were you not "told" he would be not re-signing there period? Honest question.

People can change their mind over time

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Buzzard

I'm not trying to stir anything up, but were you not "told" he would be not re-signing there period? Honest question.

I was told he wants to play for the Leafs. I did throw in the caveat that he might sign a two year deal at most if Pissy cried enough. Believe me, he wants out.

[Goriders]

Everyone wants out of Edmonton

[Toonage]

He'll sign a 3 year deal which will be spun as genius by Edmonton media and Sportsnet panels. The Oilers will start to trend downward and by the end of year 2 he'll ask to be moved and that will be that.