NHL Rumors: Connor McDavid’s Oilers are eyeing unsung hero on Connor Bedard’s Blackhawks after Stanley Cup heartbreak

Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers find themselves in the same spot they were after the 2023–24 NHL season—still searching for a way to heal from heartbreak. So far, they haven’t found a remedy. The only way is forward, though, and according to one insider, a potential piece to their puzzle may currently be sharing a locker room with Connor Bedard on the Chicago Blackhawks.

McDavid said it best during his end-of-season press conference: this year feels more like anger than heartbreak for the Oilers. Edmonton’s consecutive losses in the Final to Florida weren’t exactly mirror images of each other. Last year, the Oilers dug themselves a hole too deep to climb out of. This time around, they were ragdolled by the Panthers.

Something must change in Edmonton. Their overall struggles have proven substantial, and not even McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can work around them. Though, the two are not exempt of blame for the latest collapse. Anybody who’s seen this Oilers team can attest to it: they are missing something. Especially if they want to snap their 30+ years Stanley Cup skid.

Goaltending has been a headache in Alberta for as long as winter blizzards have wreaked havoc on households. After their struggles in the crease hindered their chances at the Cup, Edmonton is sure to take action. However, one insider believes there’s another move that may be in the Oilers’ best interest.

Lukas Reichel #27 and Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks look on against the Minnesota Wild during the third period of a preseason game at the United Center on October 05, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois

Reinforcement from the Windy City

“I keep thinking Oilers GM Stan Bowman is calling Hawks to get winger Lukas Reichel,” reporter Jim Matheson stated on his X account. “Bowman drafted him in first round in 2020 and he would be akin to trading for Podkolzin last summer when he was treading water. Plus Reichel is German and might work on team with Draisaitl.”

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Reichel recorded career highs in goals and assists during the 2024–25 NHL season—8 and 14, respectively. While his numbers are far from mind-blowing, there’s plenty of room for growth for the former first-round pick from 2020.

Reichel was one of the few bright spots for the Blackhawks in an otherwise forgettable campaign for Bedard and company. One can only imagine what Reichel could become alongside McDavid and Draisaitl.

Take your time

While the Oilers are eager to work out an extension for McDavid and get it out of the way, the former first overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft appears to be in no rush. Rumors have been swirling about a possible departure, but for now, they’re nothing more than tittle-tattle.

“He’s the #1 priority,” Oilers GM Stan Bowman said during his end-of-season media availability, per TSN. “I think also, listening to Connor’s take, he’s earned the right for us to be respectful of his timing.”