Austin Konenski
Connor McDavid is coming off a disappointing loss with the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The defeat to the Anaheim Ducks has people talking about the possibility of McDavid leaving Edmonton. So, would the Detroit Red Wings make sense as a potential landing spot for the superstar center?
While it is very unlikely in reality, what would it actually take for McDavid to end up in Detroit? Here is what needs to happen for the Red Wings.
Detroit Red Wings need to have a very strong 2026-27 NHL season
It is very unlikely that McDavid requests a trade from Edmonton before he even plays a season on his new two-year contract extension. Therefore, a trade will become more likely during the 2027 NHL offseason. The 29-year-old star would have one year left on his contract, and Edmonton would have to make a tough decision if re-signing him seems like a long shot.
In this scenario, Detroit has to perform at a high level during the 2026-27 NHL season. As of now, it is a long shot that McDavid would want to play with the Red Wings. The organization has the longest playoff drought in the NHL, and McDavid wants to compete for a Stanley Cup after coming up short in 2024 and 2025.
The Edmonton center is already unhappy with a first-round exit, so Detroit wouldn’t be a viable destination. Therefore, the Red Wings have to put themselves back in a spot where superstar players would want to join the team. Right now, there isn’t as much appeal as other organizations in Detroit.
This is the first step in the mission to trade for McDavid. Even if the Red Wings can make a Buffalo Sabres-style jump during the 2026-27 NHL season, McDavid would have to do work on his end to be a Red Wing.
Connor McDavid must request a trade with Detroit as a destination
The most crucial step for the Red Wings is McDavid requesting a trade from the Oilers. It would be nearly impossible for Edmonton to trade McDavid without a demand or realization that he won’t stay long-term. If McDavid requests a trade or expresses his desire to leave, the Red Wings have to be one of the preferred destinations.
This ties back to Detroit becoming an appealing landing spot. If the Red Wings miss the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs, this all becomes irrelevant. However, if Detroit can make massive improvements and become a contender, then all of this changes. McDavid might have more desire to play in Detroit at that point.
Even in this scenario, Detroit wouldn’t be the only team that wants McDavid on its roster. Other organizations would push to acquire the 29-year-old superstar, creating a bidding war for his services. After all, the same bidding war happened when the Minnesota Wild acquired Quinn Hughes.
The Red Wings didn’t want to pull the trigger without a long-term contract extension, and they failed to land Hughes. In the scenario where Detroit improves to a Stanley Cup contender, and McDavid requests a trade, the organization would likely need a similar commitment.
Connor McDavid is unlikely to join the Red Wings during his NHL career. However, if all of these scenarios transpire, it gives Detroit a chance to land one of the NHL’s biggest superstars.
Read More: Detroit Red Wings Expected to Make Blockbuster Trade in 2026 NHL Offseason
