Analyst Floats Connor McDavid to the Detroit Red Wings Theory

When Connor McDavid signed a two-year extension with the Edmonton Oilers right before the start of the 2025–26 season, the hockey world largely viewed it as a signal to the organization: if they didn’t win within that window, he could be out the door in two or three years’ time.

That narrative has quieted down as McDavid and the Oilers have found their footing and climbed their way to the top of the Pacific Division. However, a recent theory floated by Ryan Whitney of Spittin’ Chiclets has reignited the conversation surrounding McDavid’s potential departure, with the Detroit Red Wings singled out as a potential landing spot.

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Whitney wonders if GM Steve Yzerman has been holding off on landing other big names that have been linked to the Red Wings — notably Quinn Hughes and Rasmus Andersson, while specifically mentioning Elias Pettersson, Nazem Kadri, and Vincent Trocheck — to maintain flexibility in case McDavid becomes available sometime down the road.

Whitney said:

“This is a theory that came into my head, and I tried to brush it out of my head. Is there a chance that Steve Yzerman is thinking, ‘Well, I could go get some of these guys, make a run at Elias Pettersson. I don’t know if he likes Kadri, I don’t know if he likes Trocheck.’ What if he’s saying, ‘Well, I think in two years Connor McDavid is going to leave the Edmonton Oilers, and I think this could be a place Connor McDavid would be willing to play?’ I don’t want to hear that, I don’t want to think that, I don’t even want to imagine that. I’m trying to put myself in Stevie Yzerman’s brain and thinking he’s got two more years.”

The 29-year-old McDavid’s two-year, $25 million extension, signed in October, doesn’t kick in until the start of the 2026–27 campaign, potentially allowing him to hit free agency in 2028. He’s in the midst of another ridiculous season, having already racked up 92 points (33 goals, 59 assists) in just 54 games.

Edmonton Is Well Aware of Its Window to Win With Connor McDavid

It’s no secret that the Oilers have two — maybe three — years to win a Stanley Cup led by McDavid. If they don’t capitalize in that time frame, especially the first two years, chatter around him, potentially leaving for teams like the Red Wings, will undoubtedly pick up again.

For now, though, the focus is solely on 2025–26, and it’s incumbent on GM Stan Bowman to maximize that window by further upgrading the roster around him ahead of the March 6 trade deadline, which, by the sounds of it, he’s trying hard to do.

McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are arguably playing at the highest level of their already Hall-of-Fame careers. As a result, the Oilers look like a force to be reckoned with and a legitimate threat to reach the Stanley Cup Final for a third straight year — and this time, finally get over the hump and put these rumors to rest.

Next: Could Senators Be the Solution to Oilers Top-Nine Forward Search?