On Connor McDavid...
McDavid’s future in Edmonton remains the biggest storyline of the offseason. In our “You are the GM,” game I’m still waiting for a deal worth accepting…and it’s no surprise how hard that is. If you’re the Oilers, there’s no real way to “win” a McDavid trade; the goal is simply to survive it. Recent chatter points to three teams…:the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Los Angeles Kings. Some believe Toronto is the most logical fit, but sources of miner close to the situation suggest otherwise. The Rangers will always be in the mix for a star of this magnitude — the idea of McDavid in Manhattan is obviously tempting.
Still, I keep hearing the same thing I’ve heard for a while now: McDavid’s preferred destination is the LA Kings. The pressure to deliver a Stanley Cup in Canada is immense, and Toronto would be worst pressure than Edmonton. LA offers a fresh start — and an ironic…familiar path, following in Wayne Gretzky’s footsteps. Some of my best and most trusted League sources have been whispering about McDavid-to-LA for years…a few calling it “almost inevitable.”
On the Oilers and a Goalie...
Rumors continue to swirl around Edmonton and goaltender Carter Hart. I’m not sold. I'm pretty well connected on this one, and from what I believe, Hart’s camp prefers a U.S.-based team. And right now, his NHL future is on hold — the league won’t reinstate him until his legal situation is fully resolved. Until then, he’s a non-factor.
That said, the Oilers are expected to upgrade in net — and McDavid likely won’t sign an extension until they do so… Enter Sebastian Cossa, the highly regarded Red Wings prospect. Detroit’s goalie pipeline is crowded, and Cossa could be in play if the Oilers push hard enough.
On the Devilish Devils...
I’m convinced New Jersey is up to something. Names like Dawson Mercer, Seamus Casey, Dougie Hamilton, and Timo Meier are surfacing in trade discussions. The big-picture connection? A potential blockbuster for Quinn Hughes. Vancouver isn’t thrilled about starting a season with Hughes if he’s likely gone soon — especially since it’s well-known he wants to play with his brothers in New Jersey. The Devils could wait and sign Hughes when he’s available for “free,” but the Canucks want closure now. That means New Jersey will have to get creative to make a deal work without tearing apart their roster. Stay tuned.
WHATS THE BUZZ?
What say you?