NHL Trade Rumor: Could Connor McDavid ditch Oilers for Leafs? Buzz grows around blockbuster Maple Leafs partnership

The NHL world is buzzing with speculation as Connor McDavid edges closer to the final stretch of his contract with the Edmonton Oilers. With no current negotiations in place for an extension, as confirmed by NHL insider Chris Johnston, questions are being raised about McDavid’s future, especially with the Toronto Maple Leafs circling as a potential landing spot.

Could the most electrifying player in hockey reunite with his hometown roots?

Connor McDavid’s uncertain future triggers wild speculation

Connor McDavid isn’t a free agent yet. But the clock is ticking. His current deal with the Oilers runs through the end of the 2025–26 season, and in NHL terms, that’s not far off. By this point, most superstars would have already begun discussions on what could be a career-defining contract. But not McDavid. “There have been no discussions yet about an extension,” reported Johnston, a statement that has ignited serious chatter across the league.

This silence from both camps has left fans in Edmonton nervous. After all, McDavid’s next contract is expected to be the most significant in NHL history—both in financial scope and franchise implications. If the Oilers fail to deliver a strong campaign next season, it could push the generational talent to explore new horizons. And there’s one destination that keeps surfacing: Toronto.

Could the Maple Leafs pull off the ultimate power move?

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is in the middle of a massive roster shakeup.

With Mitch Marner shipped off to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Leafs have created both cap flexibility and a sense of urgency to bring in a true game-changer. McDavid, a Toronto native, could be that missing piece.Treliving has already begun reinvesting wisely—signing Matias Maccelli, Dakota Joshua, Nicolas Roy, and Michael Pezzetta with funds freed from Marner’s exit. The groundwork is being laid, and the timing aligns eerily well.Add the emotional weight of McDavid having grown up in the Greater Toronto Area, and suddenly the speculation feels more like a potential script. If Edmonton stumbles again, don’t be surprised if the Leafs make a seismic play for the NHL’s brightest star.

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