The Edmonton Oilers are playing for much more than the Stanley Cup in this 25-26 NHL edition. The future of their franchise is on the line this season.
The Oilers have come up short the last 2 years in the Stanley Cup final. A 3rd strike this year could lead to Connor McDavid out.
As the McDavid extension continues to loom in Alberta, pressure has increased following recent comments made by Connor in an interview at an Oilers skate.
What did McDavid have to say?
“Short term, long term, no term.” Those words ring in the minds of Oilers fans as the reality of a future timeline without Connor McDavid in Edmonton becomes possible.
McDavid is clearly motivated to win in Edmonton this year as he enters the season without a contract extension done. But beyond this season? Who knows, what happens this year will determine that.
That means every move made from this point forward by Oilers GM Stan Bowman must be carefully calculated. Every move Bowman does not make will also be questioned, does Bowman gamble on this current unreliable goalie tandem once again?
The decisions made in Oil country will shape what this contract looks like. Does Connor bind himself to Edmonton for the long haul and stay loyal to the team that drafted him? Does he sign a shorter term deal that gives him an out in a few seasons if things don’t improve? Or does this season go so disastrously that McDavid leaves, seeing the writing on the wall?
If there is one fact that is obvious, it is that McDavid wants to win it all. And if he can’t do it in Edmonton, he will go wherever best gives him that chance.
