No sooner had Connor McDavid signed the biggest bargain contract in the National Hockey League of this century than Toronto sports commentators started to speculate about McDavid leaving Edmonton.

At The Athletic, reporter Chris Johnston said one important part of the deal was the two-year term. “While McDavid ensured there will be an appropriate amount of urgency in Edmonton for the coming seasons, he left himself an escape hatch if anything goes sideways. You’d have to think the Oilers will need clarity on his long-term plans come summer 2027 and might be forced to consider a trade at that point if he’s not of a mind to sign an extension. Let’s view this as two more guaranteed cracks at the Stanley Cup for him in Edmonton, with the potential for a third swing in 2027-28 listed as ‘TBD.'

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