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Ex-NHLer Predicts Connor McDavid Will Join Division Rival: 'The Whole City Burns Down'

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated Aug 9, 2025 11:02 AM ET

Ex-NHLer James Wisniewski said on the Empty Netters Podcast that he believes Connor McDavid will join the LA Kings, and fans will riot and burn Edmonton down.

Connor McDavid's contract situation is keeping the hockey community buzzing.

Unlike repeated assurances from the top NHL insiders on the beat, Frank Seravalli, Elliotte Friedman, and Edmonton's own Bob Stauffer, that he would re-sign an extension with the Oilers, there are still rumblings of him leaving.

On the latest episode of the Empty Netters podcast, host Dan Powers imagined Connor McDavid tracing Wayne Gretzky's record-breaking path to Los Angeles.

'I have said so many times - and this is not because we live in LA. - if we saw the King's Ransom Part 2 and he got traded to LA, it would be the greatest thing to happen to the NHL in 50 years. It would be the greatest story of all time.'
- Dan Powers

His guest, former NHL veteran James Wisniewski, took it a step further, saying that such an occurrence would set riots off in Edmonton and fans would burn down the city.

Said James Wisniewski: 'Do you think Edmonton's going to have a duplicate Wayne Gretzky? Let's talk about this. I think it's going to happen.'
'I'm being serious. I think they would have riots. Because the whole city burns down.'

Added Powers: 'Edmonton would cease to exist.'

Realistically, Fans Would Be Shocked But Wouldn't Riot

In the real world, of course, there would be shock and dismay if McDavid were to leave, but riots will not ensue. NHL players are free to shop the market once they become unrestricted free agents, and McDavid would not be different.

It would be painfully bad for Oiler fans to lose a generational star like him, worse maybe than losing Gretzky, but it's ultimately his decision.

If McDavid believed it was in his best interests and those of his family to depart, most fans would disagree with it, but they would support it.

While the rumor-mongering is great for passionate debate and page-one news, the most respected voices in the hockey universe continue to assert that McDavid's future is in Edmonton.

For now, the city's fans can sleep soundly and pray the contract is signed sooner rather than later.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

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