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Maple Leafs Predicted to Land Connor McDavid, Build 'Dominant 1-2 Punch'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jul 6, 2025 10:46 AM ET

Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid isn’t a free agent yet, but speculation around his future has already begun to heat up with just one year left on his contract.

Bleacher Report’s Adam Gretz delivered one of the boldest scenarios yet in an article suggesting seven potential destinations for McDavid once the time comes for him to make a decision.

Gretz proposed a hypothetical where the Maple Leafs land McDavid in 2026, thus creating a "dominant 1-2 punch" alongside Auston Matthews in the league’s biggest Canadian market.

“The Maple Leafs already have their own superstar and No. 1 center in Auston Matthews,” Gretz wrote. “But if McDavid ever does become available, Toronto would have to find a way to get involved in the bidding.”

Gretz added that the opportunity to pair Canada’s top talent with one of its most iconic franchises — especially one in McDavid’s home province — would be too significant to ignore.

“How often would Canada’s biggest hockey market have a chance to acquire Canada’s best player? Especially one that was born in the Greater Toronto Area?” Gretz said.

While the Oilers are expected to offer McDavid the richest contract in league history, negotiations haven’t started in full with both sides only discussing early details and the outlook of Edmonton's future.

“We haven’t talked to him at all about his contract,” Oilers GM Stan Bowman said at the start of free agency. “It’s really just been talking to him about our team and how we can improve and what he sees and that kind of stuff.

“So, the conversations haven’t even started as far as a contract.”

McDavid, now 28, has made it clear that family and long-term priorities will guide his next step, and that his decision will depend on both the Oilers' moves and his family's opinion on the matter.

“Ultimately, I still need to do what’s best for me and my family,” McDavid said.

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

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