NHL Rumor Mill – March 26, 2026
Could Oilers captain Connor McDavid request a trade this summer? What position could the Sharks attempt to improve this summer? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST OILERS SPECULATION
EDMONTON JOURNAL: A reader told Gerry Moddejonge that he believes there’s a legitimate shot that Connor McDavid leaves the Oilers this summer. “Oilers are going to see the writing on the wall and won’t want to lose him for nothing at the end of the contract.”
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid signed a two-year extension last fall that begins on July 1 and ends in 2028.
Moddejonge acknowledged the possibility of McDavid requesting a trade. He even admits that the Oilers superstar might have to go elsewhere to pursue his Stanley Cup dream. However, the 29-year-old center hasn’t reached that point yet, though the frustration appears to be seeping in as the Oilers struggle this season.
McDavid signed that two-year extension (for the same $12.5 million average annual value as his current contract) to allow Oilers management to maintain a Cup contender. While he’s not at the stage where he would consider a trade, it could be a different story next summer if the Oilers haven’t improved.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid could request a trade this summer, but that seems unlikely. Despite his current frustration, he will probably remain patient and see what the club does this summer and how they perform next season. If they haven’t improved or they’ve gotten worse by then, McDavid could decide that he needs to leave Edmonton if he hopes to win that elusive Stanley Cup championship while he’s still in his prime.
The summer of 2027 could become one of the most significant in NHL history. McDavid isn’t the only superstar in his prime on a team that seems to be in decline. In Toronto, fans and pundits wonder what the future holds for Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews.
Like McDavid, he’s signed through 2027-28. If the Oilers and Maple Leafs don’t improve, McDavid and Matthews could inform their respective teams that they don’t intend to sign extensions next summer. That could put two of the league’s biggest stars into the trade market at the same time.
SHARKS COULD FOCUS ON DEFENSE IN THE OFFSEASON
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng looked ahead at how the Sharks can improve in the offseason. He believes they must significantly upgrade their defense corps.
Dmitry Orlov and Sam Dickinson are the only Sharks defensemen signed beyond this season. Shakir Mukhamadullin is the only restricted free agent. Peng speculated that they could bring back pending unrestricted free agents Mario Ferraro or Vincent Desharnais.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Peng observed that the Sharks were holding a wild-card berth on March 14 until a five-game losing streak sent them tumbling seven points behind the surging Nashville Predators, who are on a five-game win streak.
Defense proved costly for the Sharks. Veterans Nick Leddy and John Klingberg aren’t likely to be brought back. Ferraro will be re-signed if he wants to stay, and they could also retain Desharnais, whose physical style is appreciated by Sharks goalies Yaroslav Askarov and Alex Nedeljkovic.
Sharks general manager Mike Grier reportedly attempted to acquire Dougie Hamilton from the New Jersey Devils last summer, but Hamilton refused to waive his no-trade clause. That gives us some idea of the type of blueliner that Grier wanted to add to this defense corps.
First, the Oilers traded just about every great at one point or another…so can I envision a time when Mcdavid is no longer an oiler. Certainly.
But the speculation is exhausting as a fan. When we weren’t making the playoffs -Mcdavid will leave soon. Early knockouts -Mcdavid is not going to put with this much longer. Back to back finals – team has peaked and mcdavid has to move on…short term team friendly deal – this is the oilers last chance for mcdavid. Mcdavid writes a candid out of the blue for his love of the team and city-its only lip service. Mcdavid – praises cooper – it means he wants to play for TB.
Soon someone will spot Mcdavid eating a philly cheese steak and say he wants to go to Philly or seen during a weekend in Vegas and write that it must mean he wants to play for the Knights.
We arent that far off are we with these thoughts, suggestions and hypotheticals are we?
Funny, because its true. And as you write exhausting
Yeah … and even if he did make such a request in the hope of fulfilling a Cup “dream” elsewhere, that’s certainly no guarantee of success. Just look at these so-called “stars” who never won a Cup and quite a few of whom made the attempts by switching teams at some point in their careers:
Marcel Dionne; Joe Thornton; Dale Hawerchuk; Adam Oates; Mats Sundin; Gilbert Perreault; Jarome Iginla; Peter Stastney; Mike Gartner, Phil Housley, Bill Gadsby; Brad Park; Henrik Lundqvist; Roberto Luongo; Carey Price.
He was recently seen putting fries and coleslaw on a pastrami sandwich. Definitely coming to Pittsburgh
queue up the McDavid for Matthews rumors in 3… 2 … 1 …
Cue months of Luke Fox/Nick Kypreos LeafsNet McDavid to the Leafs scribblings.
With a side of Poutine ?
Most teams that are considered contenders are in that position because they have their own superstars with a well designed supporting cast. Not many contenders can take on another $12-15 million cap hit without moving out salary which affects the team structure/dynamics and may have a negative impact the overall team success.
Sorry George but Gilbert Perrault played his whole career with the Sabres.