NHL Analyst Interprets Connor McDavid's Message as Sign He Won't Leave Oilers

“You know, I'm really confident," Principe said about McDavid potentially signing an extension with the Oilers. "You know, one of the great questions that he answered was his message to the fans. He spoke of how difficult it’s been, but how enjoyable it’s been. And he said, 'You know, stick with us, because for all of us, it’s going to pay off.'”

Principe said that moment stuck with him more than any public declaration of loyalty McDavid might have made during his end-of-season media availability.

“To me, that was kind of better than, you know, ‘I love you,’” Principe said. “To me, that was, 'I’m saying to you and to everybody, stick with it. We got this. We’re going to get this, continue to be patient and continue to love us, and I promise you we'll give you the love that you want with the Stanley Cup.'”

Still, Principe acknowledged there’s no guarantee McDavid commits long term, but said he hasn’t seen any signs that the player is unhappy in Edmonton.

McDavid posted 100 points in 67 regular-season games last year and added 33 more in the playoffs, leading Edmonton to a second straight Stanley Cup Final, both of them ending in defeats to the Florida Panthers.