Austin Konenski
Connor McDavid and his future with the Edmonton Oilers could start to become a bigger conversation soon. McDavid was not happy with Edmonton’s performance during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs after reaching the finals in the last two seasons. However, what if the NHL superstar decides to leave the Oilers for a better situation?
Below, we look at five NHL teams to watch if McDavid requests a trade out of Edmonton.
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks have a very bright future with a boatload of elite prospects. If McDavid is interested in playing with Macklin Celebrini, San Jose has the asset pool to satisfy Edmonton. There would be questions on whether the Oilers would trade McDavid within the division, but not many teams have better trade packages.
Utah Mammoth
The Utah Mammoth is another team that has a lot to trade right now. Utah is in the Western Conference, but the Oilers would be able to acquire a haul for their NHL superstar. Led by Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley, the organization would benefit from adding McDavid. The question is whether McDavid wants to play in Utah or a bigger market.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are an obvious fit for McDavid. If McDavid requests a trade, Tampa would have a great chance to be on a short list due to head coach Jon Cooper. In the Olympics and Four Nations, Cooper led Canada with McDavid as their star player. The Lightning figure to be in the mix with McDavid if anything changes in Edmonton.
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are rising, and a berth in the Stanley Cup Finals could be on the horizon. If McDavid ever wants out of Edmonton, Montreal has the pieces to make a trade work, pairing him with Cole Caufield and company. It would allow McDavid to stay in Canada while pursuing a championship with the Canadiens.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs would love to add Connor McDavid, and it could be a mutual feeling. McDavid has connections to Toronto from his childhood, and a trade to the Maple Leafs would allow him to come home. Toronto might not be an attractive destination after missing the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but McDavid could turn the team around moving forward.
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