Maple Leafs Considered Connor McDavid Suitor in Potential 2026 Free Agency
Maple Leafs considered Connor McDavid SUBITOR in the potential free agency 2026 originally on Athlon Sports.
The world of hockey is already preparing at 2026, when the EDMONTON OILERS superstar, Connor McDavid, could become the most coveted free agent in the NHL history.
McDavid comes out of a 100 -point season in just 67 regular season games. He led all the skaters with 33 eliminatory points on his way to his second consecutive final of the Stanley Cup.
The captain of the Oilers is under contract until 2025-2026, and he is already eligible to sign an extension. While many expect an extension to eventually happen, nothing is located in stone.
According to the NHL NHL Chris Johnston, it would not be wise to count the Toronto Maple Leafs as a realistic pretender for McDavid in what could be the biggest signature of all time.
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Speaking on “Podcast Steve Dangle”, Johnston recognized what many in the league think about the position of the leafs in the McDavid competition.
“If (McDavid) becomes a free agent, of course, the Leafs (would try to sign him) – they were crazy,” said Johnston. “All of the six original teams probably feel like they can be in this mixture if they are quite good.
“At this point, I think it’s really any of (contenders).”
Johnston added that McDavid will establish his own conditions, and the teams that will pursue him will have to show him a clear path to the assertions, not just money.
“You must have a plan,” said Johnston. “If Connor extends to Edmonton or if he ends up signing a free agent contract in 2026, we all know that there is no negotiation. It is literally, he will choose his conditions. It is therefore everything else around that.”
McDavid will not rush. He said it during his latest media availability of the season.
“If I think there is a good window to win here again and again, the signature is not a problem,” said McDavid. “I’m not in a hurry to make a decision, so I don’t think there is chronology.”
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This story was initially reported by Athlon Sports on July 16, 2025, where it appeared for the first time.
