Connor McDavid Speaks on His Future, Leafs Fans Will Want to Hear This

McDavid has been dodged with questions over his future after the Edmonton Oilers failed to win the Stanley Cup, losing in embarrassing fashion 5-1 to the Florida Panthers in their final game, further twisting the dagger into the Oilers who were ousted from the finals by Florida for the second straight year.

Connor McDavid told reporters at his end-of-season availability that he's in "no rush" in regards to a new contract with the Oilers, his deal ending after next season, and that he will be discussing his future with his family and his agent.

The Oilers have for over a decade struggled to make it all the way to a cup with multiple first overall picks given to them and having two of the best players on the world on their roster in McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Although two straight finals are nothing to scoff at, they're also reminders that Edmonton keeps on coming up close and not able to realize their greatness with a title.

McDavid is second in playoff points all-time by a player who has not won the Stanley Cup, retiring without a ring would not diminish #97's greatness, but it would lead to him falling below the tier of the greatest to ever play in the NHL.

Those like Gretzky, Lemieux, and Orr led their teams to greatness on their backs, something McDavid has yet to do.

While hockey is a team sport and McDavid can't do everything, those who are among the best usually are able to get things done when it matters most.

Surefire future Hall of Fame contemporaries have won it, including arguably McDavid's closest rivals for best players of his era Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Nikita Kucherov.

This setback could provide team's the opportunity to take what has been a constant issue for Edmonton to put together a cup winning team, and try to lure McDavid to join them instead.

Could the unthinkable become thinkable and have Connor McDavid shock the entire National Hockey League and join forces with the Toronto Maple Leafs?

McDavid is well known to be a boyhood Leafs fan, having grown up in Ontario, and played hockey in Toronto as a child. McDavid to the Leafs would fulfill a boyhood dream of playing for his hometown club.

Of course there is the question of why if McDavid wants to win a Stanley Cup he would go to the Leafs? Everyone knows they haven't won since 1967, but they haven't gotten past the second round since 2002.

If McDavid wants to go to a team that maximizes his chances of winning the Cup, the Leafs in terms of success haven't been that.

But the Leafs do have an advantage in having fellow superstar Auston Matthews on the roster as a top talent to be their Draisaitl. Although some would debate if Matthews is better than Draisaitl, he gives just as equally a team the chance to win as Leon does.

For what it's worth, the Leafs went deeper vs. Florida than Edmonton did, and that was without their starting netminder, Anthony Stolarz.

Connor McDavid is in the final year of his contract, and will be looking for a massive extension.

McDavid will almost certainty surpass current teammate Leon Draisaitl in AAV, making $14M annually. A deal for McDavid could easily extend into the $15M range.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, if they do not re-sign Mitch Marner and do not use their cap space right away, could be in a position to potentially sign Connor McDavid if they have the money to do so and if he's available.

Plus the amount of money on endorsements and essentially being the face of the city has to be a great incentive on top of a huge salary.

McDavid has had a legendary career already, Stanley Cup losses notwithstanding. In 712 games he has 1,082 points (361G, 721A) and is a 5x Ross, 3x Hart, 4x Pearson, Conn Smythe, and Richard Trophy Winner; along with seven All-Star appearances.

It's a risk given that McDavid isn't guaranteed to sign in Toronto, and if he re-signs in Edmonton before hitting free agency, Toronto would've have missed out on a top free agent this offseason, as well as McDavid the next.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will have to be careful, but may be tempted with the chance they could add the best player in the NHL to their roster, and finally break the longstanding cup drought.