NHL legend has bold comments about Connor McDavid's future with Oilers

Connor McDavid could potentially depart the Oilers within the next year, and now an NHL legend has revealed just how much of an impact that would be on Edmonton.

The past two seasons, Edmonton Oilers have been painfully close to Stanley Cup glory, and heading into the summer, the talk of the town has now been Connor McDavid's pending free agency in 2026.

While most believe he's going to re-sign on at least a four-year deal before hitting free agency, there's a chance that he could look to depart the team, and if that happens, it would be heartbreak for the Oilers.

That is heartbreak they've felt before, and in a recent interview with RG.com, NHL legend Ilya Kovalchuk addressed that prior departure, noting that McDavid leaving would be comparable to when the team decided to move The Great One.

"Honestly, I think this is bigger than just McDavid or the Oilers. He's the face of the NHL. If he leaves, it'll be like when Wayne Gretzky was traded from Edmonton to L.A. in 1988."

However, the NHL icon also noted just how close they've been in recent years.

Ilya Kovalchuk believes the Oilers are on the verge of greatness

Kovalchuk believes that they won't need to make many changes to get back to where they've been, but beyond that, it's anyone's guess how this plays out.

"They've got a great team. Leon can take over when needed, and there's a solid core around them. I think the front office will make a few tweaks, maybe address the goaltending. But next year, they'll be contenders again."

Ultimately, it's more likely than not that McDavid will sign an extension with the Oilers at some point this summer or early next year, but if he doesn't, it would be akin to the team losing the best player in NHL history.