The Edmonton Oilers have reached the difficult milestone of making it to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals. However, both ended in defeats against the Florida Panthers, reigniting doubts about whether Connor McDavid can win the NHL title with the franchise, despite his status as captain and undisputed leader of the team that once featured Wayne Gretzky.
McDavid’s contract expires at the end of next season, in mid-2026. The Oilers have given no indication of possible extensions, and the 28-year-old star forward is not expected to sign a long-term deal for now.
It is believed that the potential option of a short-term contract reflects that both the Edmonton forward and the organization prefer to maintain strategic flexibility. Many former NHL stars have shared their opinions on why McDavid has yet to reach glory in Edmonton. In this case, NHL legend Ilya Kovalchuk addressed this topic by including Gretzky.
Kovalchuk’s admission about McDavid
“Honestly, I think this is bigger than just McDavid or the Oilers. He’s the face of the NHL. If he leaves, it’ll be like when Wayne Gretzky was traded from Edmonton to L.A. in 1988,” Kovalchuk said about McDavid’s future in an interview with RG.com, comparing his potential departure to Gretzky’s.
Center Wayne Gretzky of the Los Angeles Kings moves down the ice during a game against the Montreal Canadiens in 1994.
The precedent of Gretzky’s departure
Kovalchuk refers to Gretzky’s historic departure from the Oilers in 1988, when he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in one of the most impactful transactions in NHL history. This move marked a turning point for both the franchise and the league, leaving a profound mark on the city of Edmonton and its fans.
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McDavid’s future beyond mid-2026 remains unclear. However, only time will tell if this comparison to Gretzky’s departure proves accurate. What is certain is that considering a potential exit for the Oilers’ captain underscores the magnitude of impact such a move would have.
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