Maybe One Day Connor McDavid Will Join the Toronto Maple Leafs
The best hockey player on the planet is currently Connor McDavid. In three year’s time speculation will swirl about the potential of him joining the Toronto Maple Leafs. Three years is a long time, so let’s just get right to it.
In July of 2017, Peter Chiarelli and McDavid came to terms on an eight-year $100 million contract that locks him into playing with the Edmonton Oilers until the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. Morgan Rielly is the only player whose current contract will see them locked into playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs once McDavid becomes an unrestricted free agent.
After playing a decade in Edmonton, the face of the NHL may look for a new place to ply his trade.
The most obvious destination would be in Toronto.
A Dream Come True for the Toronto Maple Leafs
McDavid was born in Richmond Hill, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto. He played his minor hockey for the York Simcoe Express in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) and for the Toronto Marlboros in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL). The Greater Toronto Area is his home.
When the time comes, every team in the league will want to acquire McDavid’s services. Toronto has an advantage. With what will be almost a blank slate in the the Leafs salary cap restrictions, the franchise could begin planning around ensuring there is ample space available to fit his upcoming hefty contract on the books.
Once McDavid reaches UFA status, he will be just 29-years old. Not only could the Toronto Maple Leafs lure him to join the organization but they could ensure that he finishes his career in blue and white. There’s been multiple players who have chosen to come home to Toronto to conclude their time in NHL. Recently, Jason Spezza and Mark Giordano even took hometown discounts to play in the Big Smoke.
A more apt comparison would be that of John Tavares. The Toronto Maple Leafs captain signed his seven-year pact with the Buds two months before his 28th birthday. With what will surely be a larger salary cap, a very similarly aged McDavid could ink an even larger deal than the one Tavares did when he left the New York Islanders.
The problem that the Oilers will face in retaining their superstar, is the city has difficulty luring free agents. It’s why the team has overpaid players like Zach Hyman and Jack Campbell.
The Leafs are fortunate that they don’t share in this struggle. Without knowing the future landscape of the NHL, historically there is a greater chance that the Leafs will be able to attract high talent players to surround and play with The Chosen One.
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There’s still plenty of time before the media relentlessly speculates on McDavid’s impending decision. Leafs fans should’t rush out and get a custom Buds jersey, but Oilers fans shouldn’t get too comfortable either.