Darren Dreger Links Connor McDavid to Two Teams in Bold ‘Devil’s Advocate’ Theory

“I just look overall at the bigger picture here,” Dreger said. “Kenny Holland ends up in Los Angeles. Ken Holland had a fantastic relationship with Connor McDavid. You know, Ken Holland obviously is in the back side of his career… What do you think his top priority is? Connor McDavid.”

Holland, the former Oilers general manager, worked closesly with McDavid from 2019 to 2024, a period that saw Edmonton return to contender status thanks to Holland’s roster management.

Dreger believes that connection could make Los Angeles an attractive option if McDavid decides to test the market.

But the TSN insider also pointed to the Stars as an even more intriguing fit as McDavid enters the final season of his eight-year, $100 million contract with Edmonton and could reach the open market for the first time in his career next summer.

“Flip over to the Dallas Stars,” Dreger said. “They got rid of an excellent coach in Pete DeBoer, hired Glen Gulutzan for a second lap through Dallas. (Gulutzan is) super tight with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Does that not give you a bit of an edge in the interview process?”

McDavid and Gulutzan began working together in 2018 when the latter joined the Oilers as an assistant coach. He was retained through multiple coaching changes and contributed to McDavid’s power-play success and offensive consistency as the Oilers top-line center.

Dreger also noted Dallas’s young core and long-term stability, citing players such as Wyatt Johnston, Roope Hintz, and goaltender Jake Oettinger as cornerstones signed to long-term deals.

“Their goaltending looks to be good for a long, long time. Dallas is more intriguing to me because of everything we’ve just talked about,” Dreger added.

While Dreger made clear those were just his personal theories and not sourced information, his comments will only fuel the speculation about McDavid’s future further with another layer—potential destinations—added to it.