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Connor McDavid Drops Cryptic Update on Edmonton Oilers Future

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Aug 28, 2025 6:30 AM ET

After Mitch Marner was traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Vegas Golden Knights, the biggest question on most NHL fans’ minds was what does the future hold for Edmonton Oilers star forward Connor McDavid?

The 28-year-old three-time MVP is entering the final season of his eight-year, $100 million contract, and based off how things played out between Marner and the Leafs, Oilers fans have every right to be concerned if McDavid gets too far into next season and doesn’t sign a long-term contract extension.

McDavid has stated several times he’s committed to winning in Edmonton, but as he was speaking to reporters at the Hockey Canada Orientation Camp for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, McDavid made some pretty incriminatory remarks about his future with the Oilers.

“All options are on the table, really,” McDavid said. “We’re going through it. I don't have a preference either way. I want to the group to be as focused and dialed in and ready to roll from Day 1 as much as possible, and we don't need any distractions. I’m going to take my time with it and that's it.”

If McDavid were to hit the open market, he’d have offers from the other 31 teams without question.

But he also could be tempted at the prospect of staying in Edmonton to finish what he started — the Oilers have made it to the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back years, losing to the Florida Panthers both times.

It’s clear with McDavid and fellow star forward Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers will always be a Stanley Cup threat. But the duo have been together for the last 10 years, and they’ve made it to the Western Conference Final three times and the Cup Final twice.

If the changes Edmonton’s front office made this offseason—locking up forward Trent Frederic to an eight-year extension and defenseman Evan Bouchard to a four-year extension, acquiring NHL-ready prospect Isaac Howard in exchange for former top prospect Sam O’Reilly, and trading controversial forward Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks—don’t result in a Cup Final win this year, McDavid could be inclined to try and win elsewhere.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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