It was the summer of 1988. NHL legend Wayne Gretzky had just won the Stanley Cup for an astonishing fourth time with the Edmonton Oilers and was in the form of his life. Despite the Oilers’ success in the league, there was a major issue brewing within the team. The owner of the Oilers back then, Peter Pocklington, was in deep financial trouble. Moreover, Gretzky just had a year left on his contract, and as a result, Polcklington decided to let go of Gretzky in exchange for a huge sum to save the team. Eventually, Gretzky was traded to the LA Kings, and it became a much-talked-about trade. Fast forward to 2025, and another fellow Canadian, Connor McDavid, finds himself in a similar spot.
Back in 2017, McDavid signed an eight-year deal valued at $100 million. Despite McDavid being one of the best players in the league over the past few years, the Oilers have failed to win the Stanley Cup during this tenure, and the team has struggled of late. Thus, Hockey Hall of Fame member Stan Fischler sees McDavid moving past the Oilers.
McDavid just has a year left on his contract, and with the salary cap going up next season, many teams will be vying for his signature. On the other hand, the Oilers look far away from winning the Stanley Cup anytime soon. As a result, Fischler revealed, “Just for the sake of argument, let’s say that @Oilers don’t win the Stanley Cup, AGAIN. What are the chances that eventual free agent #ConnorMcDavid rents his Edmonton digs and decides to do a Gretzky and rents a condo within walking distance of @NYRangers MSG? Possible? No? Yes!”
Just for the sake of argument, let’s say that @Oilers don’t win the Stanley Cup, AGAIN. What are the
chances that eventual free agent #ConnorMcDavid
rents his Edmonton digs and decides to do a Gretzky and rents a condo within walking distance of @NYRangers MSG? Possible? No? Yes!
— Stan Fischler (@StanFischler) May 22, 2025
Even McDavid’s idol, Gretzky, joined the New York Rangers as a free agent in 1996. Back then, he signed a 2-year contract before he eventually retired in 1999. Thus, New York could emerge as a potential destination for McDavid if the Oilers opt against an extension. Additionally, even ESPN Insider Greg Wyshynski feels that the Rangers could land McDavid’s services after he enters free agency.
Is New York to become Connor McDavid’s next home?
In the past, Oilers’ legends Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier have gone on to represent the Rangers. Thus, it is widely believed that the current Oilers star, McDavid, could represent them one day. With free agency just a year away, talks have already begun on his links to the Rangers. Recently, ESPN insider Greg Wyshynski explained why McDavid could join the Rangers.
He said, “There’s a pie-in-the-sky part of this that I can’t ignore, which is that Connor McDavid doesn’t have a contract with the Edmonton Oilers as of yet. Frankly, watching an Oilers situation that is not in the best interests of Connor McDavid with the way the playoffs are going right now. I mention that because you have to mention it. Until he puts pen to paper, there’s every possibility that Connor McDavid could hit the open market. If that’d ever happen (McDavid reaches free agency), I truly believe that the Rangers would be one of the teams he’d look at.”
However, it would be easier said than done, as McDavid is one of the most valuable players currently. The Rangers would have to shell out a massive sum if they had to woo McDavid to their team. It’ll be interesting to see where McDavid lands as his contract with the Oilers runs down.
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