Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Edmonton Oilers: Pierre LeBrun Hints at Connor McDavid Being Traded Before the Summer of 2028

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Glenn Kaplan | Last updated Mar 12, 2026 10:31 AM ET

The Edmonton Oilers will hope to qualify for the 2025-2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. In the last two seasons, Edmonton has made it to the Stanley Cup Finals, but they have lost to the Florida Panthers both times.

This will no doubt be a big postseason for Connor McDavid and the team. McDavid has played well in the playoffs, but the team has not done enough in order to win it all. Goaltending and team defense has been the primary issues for Edmonton.

If the Oilers do not win the Stanley Cup title this season, it will be interesting to see how the offseason will transpire for them. McDavid will have two more years left on his current contract after this season. Is there a chance that he could be traded before his contract expires?

Pierre LeBrun Reveals if Connor McDavid Will Be Traded from the Edmonton Oilers or Not

Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) at Rogers Place. Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

Pierre LeBrun of the Athletic revealed what could possibly happen with McDavid over the summer if the Oilers fall short of winning a Stanley Cup. Nothing may happen this summer with him, but it could very well be in the summer of 2027. LeBrun said, "It is important as a matter of clarification to understand the context of No. 97 signing that team-friendly, two-year extension last fall. It did not necessarily mean he was signing it to be on the Edmonton Oilers through the 2027-28 season.

My understanding is that the most likely scenario was that McDavid was giving the Oilers this season and next to try and win a championship and then it was decision time again in the summer of 2027 as to where everything stood.

The reason for that is that I don’t think McDavid wants to just walk out the door in ’28 as an unrestricted free agent and not have the Oilers get something in return.

The summer of 2027, if he decides it’s time to leave, would be one year out from his contract expiry and allow the Oilers to gain something out of a trade, albeit a trade in which he controls his destination."

It seems as if Edmonton will have one final chance potentially to win with McDavid in the 2026-2027 season if they don't win it all this season. If they were to not win it all within the next two seasons, there is a good chance that McDavid could potentially ask out and be traded elsewhere before his contract expires.

McDavid is 29 years old. He is one of the best players in the NHL. This season with the Oilers, he has played in 65 games. McDavid has scored 36 goals and has recorded 74 assists, along with a plus/minus rating of 13.

He has been great in his career without the Stanley Cup title. There is a chance that McDavid may have to win a championship in his NHL career not in Edmonton, Alberta.

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

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