Edmonton Oilers

Former NHLer Says McDavid Could Leave Oilers For Eastern Wannabe Powerhouse

A former NHLer has heard that the Philadelphia Flyers are a team Connor McDavid would want to join.

by
Jackson Weber
July 17, 2026

If the failed Leo Carlsson offer sheet told us anything, it’s that Danny Briere and the Philadelphia Flyers want a star, and they won’t stop until they get one.

With a budding young core, cap space, and plenty of draft capital, the Flyers are in a great position to continue big-game hunting. Some have wondered about pivoting to Connor Bedard or Adam Fantilli with another offer sheet. However, perhaps Briere will instead sit back and wait with the golden goose — Connor McDavid — possibly becoming available down the road.

In fact, former NHLer Todd Fedoruk took things a step further with recent comments suggesting he’s heard McDavid himself would want to go to Philadelphia.

Fedoruk said:

“He is going to be a player who will be calling teams. His agent is going to be looking for him to go places. There are rumors that Philadelphia is a place that Connor McDavid wants to go,”

The 29-year-old McDavid will be entering the first year of the two-year, $25 million contract extension he signed with the Oilers in October next season (2026-27). He’s coming off another Art Ross Trophy-winning season having racked up 138 points (48 goals, 90 assists) in 82 games.

Connor McDavid to Philadelphia?

It should be noted that it would be tampering if McDavid and/or his agent, Judd Moldaver, began reaching out to teams like the Flyers while he is still under contract, as Fedoruk suggested.

Nonetheless, the superstar center is no stranger to being connected to other teams in recent years as his contract has wound down and he subsequently signed such a short-term extension. It’s all understandable given his age, desire to win, and the window to do so in Edmonton. That said, he’s not going anywhere, at least in the near future, as the Oilers have set things up the way McDavid and the leadership group wanted heading into 2026-27.

If they do fall short of their lofty expectations again next season, however, then real questions about the captain’s future will emerge, and teams like Philadelphia will surely be prepared to enter the mix if that happens.

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