Oilers GM Officially Speaks on Connor McDavid Contract Talks That Leafs Fans Are Following Intently
Photo credit: Hockey Patrol
Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman broke his silence regarding Connor McDavid's contract negotiations and believes his captain is going to decide whenever he's ready.
With the potent for Connor McDavid to be a free agent next summer, the entire hockey world is going to pay attention to see what he decides to do. Whether it be re-signing with Edmonton, or finding a humongous payday elsewhere; McDavid is going to be the prized fish without a doubt.
Edmonton would love to keep him and according to the captain himself he is committed to the Oilers and wants to win there, but you can never count out the potential for him to leave and it must be worrisome for not only fans, but for Edmonton's management as well.
However, GM Scotty Bowman doesn't seem too overly concerned. Speaking with Pierre LeBrun recently, the Oilers front office leader explained that he needs to take McDavid at his word, and there's certainly a different aura to getting a deal done:
You have to approach Connor differently than anyone else because he is different than anyone else. He's the best player in the world and, as a result, has earned the right to handle this the way he feels right to handle it.
I have no reason to doubt anything he said (last week). I take him to his word that he's focused on winning the Cup in Edmonton. And we feel the same way. It's just really trying to maintain patience.
That's the hard thing for the outside world to do. But for us, that's fine. He's always been a man of his word to me. I trust him. He's going through his own process, and when he's ready, he's ready. That's understandable.
I have no reason to doubt anything he said (last week). I take him to his word that he's focused on winning the Cup in Edmonton. And we feel the same way. It's just really trying to maintain patience.
That's the hard thing for the outside world to do. But for us, that's fine. He's always been a man of his word to me. I trust him. He's going through his own process, and when he's ready, he's ready. That's understandable.
For Bowman as well, it was less about the outside chatter and following his gut on things as he is clearly aware of the potential free agent rumors:
So I guess the internal feeling is different maybe than what's swirling on the outside. But I think that's more out of respect for Connor and being patient with where he's at.
So what does this mean for Toronto, a team heavily linked to McDavid for what feels like years?
Why Leafs Fans Are Locked In on McDavid's Future
It doesn't make things any easier to know that Bowman also feels like McDavid isn't going anywhere, but it's going to be something that is clearly under the microscope until he puts pen to paper.
Even the potential to have a shot to see McDavid in blue and white is stunning, and it wouldn't really matter the cost; he would be seen as a God in Toronto and the fans will pay whatever MLSE charges to see him.
Knowing he might have some reservations about winning in Edmonton (especially failing in back to back years) he could decide to jump ship and while Toronto's cap space isn't massive; it might be enough.
Plus, it's Connor McDavid. You're putting the greatest player in the world on the same team with Auston Matthews; a potential top-10 player, William Nylander; one of the world's greatest scorers, and John Tavares; a legend in his own right.
That alone would make Maple Leafs fans salivate uncontrollably at what that team's potential could be.
We just need to hope that Bowman's gut is wrong and McDavid says goodbye to Alberta and hello to home.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 3 | 1421 ANSWERS Oilers GM Officially Speaks on Connor McDavid Contract Talks That Leafs Fans Are Following Intently Do you think Connor McDavid will re-sign with Edmonton or test free agency? | ||
| Re-sign With Edmonton | 707 | 49.8 % |
| Free Agency Baby!!! | 714 | 50.2 % |
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