The puck has yet to drop on the 2025-26 NHL regular season and July 1 is more than nine months away, but the mere possibility of hockey’s best player hitting the open market next summer has become a training camp talking point.
Tension is rising among Edmonton Oilers fans, and intrigue is growing in the rest of the hockey world as Connor McDavid remains unsigned beyond this season.
Though McDavid has said he wants to win in Edmonton and a contract extension between the two sides could come before or during the season, the potential of the superstar becoming an unrestricted free agent and playing somewhere else is real — even if it’s unlikely.
With that in mind, The Athletic asked its NHL staff what each team’s pitch to McDavid should be if he becomes available.
Here’s what they said.
Anaheim Ducks
If a new start is desired, it isn’t a bad choice to join a growing young team on the path to contending status while living in Southern California. Golf with Teemu Selanne and surf with Paul Kariya in the O.C. McDavid could be the marquee attraction to the entertainment district being built around a renovated Honda Center, but not be constantly under a microscope. Lukas Dostal might be the game-stealing goalie he has always dreamed of having. And playing with Leo Carlsson and Jackson LaCombe wouldn’t be half bad. — Eric Stephens
Boston Bruins
There are few cities with as many good colleges as Boston. Think about the future McDavids! — Fluto Shinzawa
Buffalo Sabres
McDavid grew up a few hours away from Buffalo in the Toronto area. He played junior hockey down the road in Erie. He could play close to home and have a chance to lift one of the league’s most woebegone franchises out of the mud. He was the prize Tim Murray wanted during Buffalo’s original tank, but the ping pong balls didn’t bounce the right way. This would be a full-circle moment. — Matthew Fairburn
Calgary Flames
Join the dark side. McDavid can flip sides like Anakin and drive three hours south to play for the Oilers’ bitter rival with veterans at the top of their lineup and a promising prospect pool. The city of Calgary boasts a few more attractions compared to Edmonton, too (the Bow River, a budding food scene and, by 2027, a newer arena). The Flames have plenty of cap space to offer him basically whatever he’d ask for. And imagine the free agents who’d want to join him. No. 97 in a Blasty uniform would be the hottest jersey in the league. — Julian McKenzie
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes haven’t been shy about pursuing a superstar player, and none is bigger than McDavid. Carolina has the depth and assets to make a pitch for the Oilers superstar, though any team will probably have to move Earth and water to make a deal for McDavid. The Oilers will be looking to fill out their NHL roster, and the Hurricanes, with four first-round picks in the next three drafts, could offer a package that includes three of those picks — Andrei Svechnikov, Pyotr Kochetkov and top prospect Bradly Nadeau — and that still might not be enough. — Cory Lavalette
Chicago Blackhawks
It’s hard to see the Blackhawks as real players for McDavid, but if that were somehow the case, their pitch would be all about the future and the opportunity to return a major hockey market to Cup contenders. The Blackhawks have made 11 first-round picks in the last four years, and a number of those players are starting to arrive in the NHL. McDavid would be surrounded by young talent, most notably Connor Bedard, for the rest of his career. That would allow McDavid to lead that youth and later be supported by it. — Scott Powers
Connor McDavid and Cale Makar played together for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off. (Winslow Townson / Imagn Images)Colorado Avalanche
Remember how much fun it was winning the 4 Nations Face-Off with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar? Imagine how much fun it would be chasing the Stanley Cup with them every season. — Jesse Granger
Columbus Blue Jackets
You like cannons, Connor? You can make it boom 60 to 70 times. You want a big city with a welcoming, small-town feel that’s just a short drive from cabin country? You want to play sooooo much closer to home (Ontario)? With fellow proud Ontarians such as Boone Jenner, Sean Monahan, Erik Gudbranson, Adam Fantilli, etc.? Welcome home, Connor. — Aaron Portzline
Dallas Stars
“Hey, Connor. Jim Nill here. You enjoy playing with Leon Draisaitl from time to time, right? Well, how about always playing with Mikko Rantanen? You ever wonder what it’s like to have a reliable goalie? How’s Jake Oettinger sound? You scored a lot of goals with Glen Gulutzan running your power play, no? Well, guess who our new coach is? You’ve had five GMs in 10 years? I’ve been in this chair since you were an Erie Otter. Weary of all the scrutiny in Canada? You could punch Dak Prescott in the face and the press here would only ask Dak about it. Oh, and what are your feelings about taxes?” — Mark Lazerus
Detroit Red Wings
How about the chance to bring a proud, Original Six franchise back to glory? No, not “that” Original Six franchise. And, well, no, not that one either. But winning the Stanley Cup in Detroit still has a special, historic tint to it, and with McDavid in the fold, the path back to that becomes a whole lot clearer for the Red Wings. They have spent the better part of the last decade building up a strong collection of young talent — some of which is already making an NHL impact, and some of which has yet to arrive. That could offer a level of depth McDavid has never truly been afforded in Edmonton. — Max Bultman
Edmonton Oilers
Though the Oilers’ longer-term future looks uncertain, there aren’t many teams more primed to win the Stanley Cup right now. Most of the core players are locked up, including Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard, and they can keep the window open a bit longer if McDavid stays. McDavid has said he wants to win in Edmonton, so re-signing increases the chance of that happening. — Daniel Nugent-Bowman
Florida Panthers
If you want to win and that’s the top priority, is there a better choice? Yes, the Panthers would have to do some significant cap gymnastics to fit in a McDavid contract, but with the rising cap, a creative front office and the benefit of their no state tax, that should be workable for next season. And what a juggernaut they would be. — James Mirtle
Los Angeles Kings
A McDavid-to-L.A. scenario is already being fantasized, so let’s just build on that. You’ve already got a few ex-Oilers teammates in place. You worked with GM Ken Holland and got near the promised land. The Kings need a superstar, and you’ve been that impenetrable wall to their playoff dreams. You’ll not only turn the tide but will also join the sporting legends who have called Los Angeles home while enjoying living near the beach. Ask No. 99 how that went for him. (Sorry, Edmonton.) — Eric Stephens
Kirill Kaprizov and Connor McDavid are both set to become free agents in the summer. (Perry Nelson / Imagn Images)Minnesota Wild
Well, the Wild have their own No. 97 they’re desperately trying to sign. So the Oilers’ No. 97 is pretty moot right now. And, let’s face it, if Minnesota can’t convince its superstar to stay, then how could they convince McDavid to come? If Kaprizov doesn’t re-sign, however, the Wild can offer a boatload of money plus a younger core (including Matt Boldy, Brock Faber and Zeev Buium), a stronger prospect pool and better goaltending than the Oilers. More cap flexibility, too. This is all unlikely, but they’d certainly take either 97. — Joe Smith
Montreal Canadiens
You want to know what the future is going to look like, Connor? The future in Montreal is already in uniform every night. Have you seen an Ivan Demidov highlight reel? Think he’s special? How does playing alongside him for seven years sound? And if that were to happen, how does a second line of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovský sound? Or a blue-line top four of Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, Kaiden Guhle, and eventually, David Reinbacher sound? The oldest player listed there is Suzuki, and he’s 26. You want a future, Connor? You could turn the future into the present in Montreal. — Arpon Basu
Nashville Predators
Nashville’s awesome, bro! You like country music, right? Walked out with Morgan Wallen at a show? Yeah, sure, that qualifies as country music as far as we’re concerned. Oh, you want to know about the hockey? Um … we’ve got some stars who, unlike you, aren’t still in their prime. But they’re still pretty good, and we’ve got some prospects, and we really, really hope Juuse Saros is not cashed. — Joe Rexrode
New Jersey Devils
If McDavid leaves the Oilers, he’ll want to be on a team that’s set to be good in both the short and long term. The Devils check that box. Among forwards, Jack Hughes, Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt are all signed long term, and Nico Hischier is under contract through 2026-27. The group of defensemen features a good mix of promising, young players (namely Luke Hughes), and Tom Fitzgerald has draft picks and players he can move if he wants to upgrade the roster. If McDavid comes to New Jersey, the Devils would likely be Cup favorites. — Peter Baugh
New York Islanders
Any Islanders’ pitch has to focus on their strongest franchise cornerstone: Ilya Sorokin. He is one of the best goaltenders in the world, and that should count for something after the last few years in Edmonton. The strike against the Islanders is that they aren’t in a position to contend, but they have a solid core in Sorokin, Mathew Barzal and Matthew Schaefer. And perhaps the team could offer some sort of blank-slate approach where he can give some input on the team-building process. — Shayna Goldman
New York Rangers
Win in New York, and you’re a legend forever. Look at how the Rangers still treat Mark Messier and the other players from the 1994 team. Players like New York, and if McDavid comes there, the front office won’t have any issue attracting further talent. New York also has an elite goaltender in Igor Shesterkin. McDavid would surely like that after having some uncertainty in net over the course of his time in Edmonton. — Peter Baugh
Ottawa Senators
The Senators are approaching their competitive window, with a No. 1 center (Tim Stützle), a No. 1 defenseman (Jake Sanderson) and a top power forward (Brady Tkachuk) in tow. Not to mention Shane Pinto, Dylan Cozens and so many other pieces. McDavid would turn them into a contender for years to come, maybe even when the team finally gets its arena. Ottawa should also be a much quieter haven for McDavid, compared to the hustle and bustle of a bigger city such as Toronto. — Julian McKenzie
Philadelphia Flyers
If all goes to plan, the Flyers will be viewed in the 2026 offseason as a team that’s taking steps forward. They have some up-and-coming players already in place, led by Matvei Michkov, and a decent crop of prospects marinating in the system, including Porter Martone. What they don’t have is a No. 1 center. If McDavid believes the Flyers are on the cusp of sustainable contention, perhaps he gives them a look. — Kevin Kurz
Pittsburgh Penguins
“Hey, Connor, you’ll have Sidney Crosby as your second-line center. He will even handle all the interviews. We have $50 million to $60 million in cap space next summer. We will buy you wingers. Also, we are two hours from your old stomping grounds in Erie and five from your hometown. Close, but not too close. Just perfect, right?” — Josh Yohe
San Jose Sharks
If you want to provide Macklin Celebrini with a mentor to help navigate the path from No. 1 pick to league superstar, you can find no better example, aside from Sidney Crosby, than McDavid. Heck, a center pairing with Celebrini could be as dangerous as McDavid’s partnership with Leon Draisaitl, and Celebrini is a decade younger. Players would crave to join the new dynamic duo and a robust prospect pipeline in the Bay Area. And who wouldn’t want to hang with Joe Thornton off the ice? — Eric Stephens
Seattle Kraken
“Hey, Connor, remember Jordan Eberle from your first few years in Edmonton? He plays for us! Seattle is a great place to live. We have state-of-the-art facilities and we also have some really interesting young forwards, and man, would you give them a boost. Just don’t ask us about our backup goaltending or overall franchise direction, please.” — Thomas Drance
St. Louis Blues
Getting McDavid is obviously a pipe dream, but if the Blues were to make a pitch, I’d focus it on a future led by Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou; good young players such as Dylan Holloway, Jimmy Snuggerud, Dalibor Dvorsky, Philip Broberg, Logan Mailloux and Adam Jiricek; and quality ownership, management and coaching. Oh, and a trip to the top of the Gateway Arch! — Jeremy Rutherford
Tampa Bay Lightning
Offer a deal with a two-year term, for a chance to win the Stanley Cup with a star-studded core that has done it before. The Lightning, realistically, only have a couple more years in this window — and that should be made clear to McDavid. However, playing a couple of years with Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman and an elite goalie in Andrei Vasilevskiy is worthwhile. The term would allow him to still sign one more big contract; he can still cash in and chase the Cup elsewhere. — Shayna Goldman
Connor McDavid grew up a Maple Leafs fan. (Perry Nelson / Imagn Images)Toronto Maple Leafs
For one thing, the Leafs are McDavid’s hometown squad. For another, they have his good pal and one of the best players in the world in Auston Matthews, along with a team that’s perennially in the Stanley Cup mix. What the Leafs could really use for their hypothetical pitch is a deep postseason run, one that shows McDavid their team is truly on the precipice of a championship (if they don’t actually win it) — and that they just need one more piece to get them there. What better pitch is there than that? Come home and be the one who leads the Leafs to long-awaited glory. — Jonas Siegel
Utah Mammoth
Utah’s pitch should be around the long Cup contention window the franchise would have if McDavid joined it. The Mammoth have a ton of young talent with the likes of Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther and JJ Peterka; veteran stars such as Clayton Keller and Mikhail Sergachev; an excellent cap situation and top prospects still coming. It also helps having a new owner who’s committed to spending top dollar, as evidenced by the team’s new state-of-the-art practice facility. — Harman Dayal
Vancouver Canucks
“Hey, Connor, wouldn’t it be cool to play with Quinn Hughes? Imagine the magic! Pardon? Are you asking about Hughes’ contract status beyond this current deal? If you choose Vancouver, it won’t matter, surely.” — Thomas Drance
Vegas Golden Knights
Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas, home of the most aggressively run team in the NHL. Owner Bill Foley will spend to the furthest reaches of the salary cap every season, and the front office will do whatever it takes to fill holes in the roster. Not to mention the great golfing weather and the absence of state income tax. There’s a reason Vegas has landed nearly every star player it’s gone after. — Jesse Granger
Washington Capitals
Maybe he’d be interested in taking the baton from Alex Ovechkin, whose contract expires after this season. If McDavid wants to move to the Eastern Conference, there’s also something to be said for playing in the Metro Division, where there’s no Panthers-style bogeyman at the top of the food chain. Also, plenty of other extremely rich people means plenty of work opportunities for Lauren Kyle McDavid and her design firm. — Sean Gentille
Winnipeg Jets
“Please?” … The odds of McDavid choosing Winnipeg are small. The Jets’ best pitch, however, is a good one: Connor Hellebuyck last dominated a playoff series against McDavid’s Oilers, stopping 151 of 160 shots (.944) en route to Winnipeg’s first-round sweep in 2021. Since that time, the Jets have improved their team defense, won the Presidents’ Trophy and done everything except go deep in the playoffs — something McDavid would almost certainly help them do. — Murat Ates
(Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; Photo: Brian Babineau / Getty Images )