McDavid-to-Maple Leafs Rumor Gets Major Update From Reporter Who Started It

The viral speculation surrounding Connor McDavid potentially joining the Toronto Maple Leafs has been clarified by The Hockey News’ Michael Augello, who stressed that his original comments were never intended to suggest the Edmonton Oilers captain had decided he wanted to leave.

Augello addressed the reaction after being contacted about how widely his comments had spread. “I don’t know why… I said it was another reporter’s theory… and it was conditional on the Leafs being good, and even then it’s not guaranteed!” he explained.

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The comments originated from a discussion in which another reporter suggested that McDavid might have an interest in playing for Toronto. Augello relayed that theory, saying: “I was told by another reporter, that’s just his theory and I won’t share his name, but you know talking in the press box about McDavid and he said ‘McDavid wants to play in Toronto, it’s just the question what type of team the Leafs are.’”

Augello then added that Toronto’s chances would depend heavily on the team’s situation, saying, “If the Leafs are good, their chances of getting McDavid are good because I think he would want to play in Toronto if they pay him. If they are not good, there’s not a chance.”

He later emphasized that the scenario was simply speculation based on several circumstances, including Toronto’s projected salary-cap flexibility and the fact that Auston Matthews and McDavid share an agent.

“I think the uproar is humorous; the scenario is conditional on Toronto being good in two years,” Augello said. “It was floating a potential scenario.”

He also acknowledged that Toronto would hardly be McDavid’s only option if the superstar eventually became a free agent. “If Toronto is good, they have a decent chance of getting him,” Augello said. “That doesn’t mean they are guaranteed to get him, because a New York or Los Angeles or a team that has a better chance of winning the Cup could swoop in.”

Fans Reacted to the McDavid and Toronto Theory

Although Augello didn’t actually say McDavid was eyeing Toronto, fan reaction was swift and polarizing. Some took his comments to mean he was predicting McDavid to Toronto. He wasn’t. Others took shots at the continued narrative that McDavid might want to leave Edmonton, while others aimed at Toronto’s lack of success.

This is what happens when you say the words McDavid and Maple Leafs in the same sentence. Even when you’re not actually reporting any news or trying to break a story, it takes on a life of its own.

As of today, McDavid is committed to the Oilers. He’s trying to win a Stanley Cup in Edmonton. What happens when he becomes a free agent is something he’ll deal with when he’s not focused solely winning the biggest prize in the NHL.

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