Edmonton Post Season Interview McDavid "With that being said"

[IsDurbanodoingtime]

So much to unpack here, but foremost Edmonton and McDavid may have likely just closed the window together and individually for a cup.

If this is McDavids stance, there isn’t another team in the league that can afford what McDavid is going to ask for and support a competitive team around him. That Edmonton group was about as close as anyone was ever going to get with his cap hit.

Likewise there isn’t going to be a team in the league with cup aspirations that is going to trade the package required to get him and then pay him his number.

It’s never been more obvious that cups are won now with extreme depth.

The destinations willing to commit the % of cap to him alone are the teams looking to build a fanbase vs. win a cup.

Just look across the ice at Florida where you’re likely going to see heroes like Bennett, Marchand and ekblad take pay cuts to stay with a team and win more cups.

Pretty spot on. A veritable golden handcuff that militates to him staying in Edmonton. The only exception perhaps is non state i come tax team clearing space for him like maybe the Bolts.
Interesting thought experience. If McDavid agreed to come to the Blues, 1) what would it take and 2) would you do it?
I would start with Thomas, Snuggerud, Broberg(ouch)and 2 firsts? Would probably set you back though all things considered.

[Younghopp1991]

If he hits free agency does chicago make a serious offer? Mcdavid and bedard playing together. Bedards entry contract is up after next year and if he doesnt blow up next year they get cheap 2 year bridge before he really gets paid. Chicago refuses to put talent around him and i heard on 101 chicago isnt looking for bug time players this year (take that for what its worth) idk it just makes sense and i hate it.

[IsDurbanodoingtime]

If he hits free agency does chicago make a serious offer? Mcdavid and bedard playing together. Bedards entry contract is up after next year and if he doesnt blow up next year they get cheap 2 year bridge before he really gets paid. Chicago refuses to put talent around him and i heard on 101 chicago isnt looking for bug time players this year (take that for what its worth) idk it just makes sense and i hate it.

He is not getting to free agency. He resigns or the Oilers trade him for a haul. They are not losing him for nothing.

[DawgDad]

So much to unpack here, but foremost Edmonton and McDavid may have likely just closed the window together and individually for a cup.

If this is McDavids stance, there isn’t another team in the league that can afford what McDavid is going to ask for and support a competitive team around him. That Edmonton group was about as close as anyone was ever going to get with his cap hit.

Likewise there isn’t going to be a team in the league with cup aspirations that is going to trade the package required to get him and then pay him his number.

It’s never been more obvious that cups are won now with extreme depth.

The destinations willing to commit the % of cap to him alone are the teams looking to build a fanbase vs. win a cup.

Just look across the ice at Florida where you’re likely going to see heroes like Bennett, Marchand and ekblad take pay cuts to stay with a team and win more cups.

Pretty spot on. A veritable golden handcuff that militates to him staying in Edmonton. The only exception perhaps is non state i come tax team clearing space for him like maybe the Bolts.
Interesting thought experience. If McDavid agreed to come to the Blues, 1) what would it take and 2) would you do it?
I would start with Thomas, Snuggerud, Broberg(ouch)and 2 firsts? Would probably set you back though all things considered.

The Blues are on the cusp of being a competitive playoff force. They don't need a McDavid. Ask MacKinnon about the Blues, they were driving him crazy at the end of the season.

I'm not saying there aren't circumstances where McDavid would make sense but those appear to be VERY remote.

Blues have a good structure for a mid-market team, they should stay the course.

[Aesa]

So much to unpack here, but foremost Edmonton and McDavid may have likely just closed the window together and individually for a cup.

If this is McDavids stance, there isn’t another team in the league that can afford what McDavid is going to ask for and support a competitive team around him. That Edmonton group was about as close as anyone was ever going to get with his cap hit.

Likewise there isn’t going to be a team in the league with cup aspirations that is going to trade the package required to get him and then pay him his number.

It’s never been more obvious that cups are won now with extreme depth.

The destinations willing to commit the % of cap to him alone are the teams looking to build a fanbase vs. win a cup.

Just look across the ice at Florida where you’re likely going to see heroes like Bennett, Marchand and ekblad take pay cuts to stay with a team and win more cups.

Pretty spot on. A veritable golden handcuff that militates to him staying in Edmonton. The only exception perhaps is non state i come tax team clearing space for him like maybe the Bolts.
Interesting thought experience. If McDavid agreed to come to the Blues, 1) what would it take and 2) would you do it?
I would start with Thomas, Snuggerud, Broberg(ouch)and 2 firsts? Would probably set you back though all things considered.

The Blues are on the cusp of being a competitive playoff force. They don't need a McDavid. Ask MacKinnon about the Blues, they were driving him crazy at the end of the season.

I'm not saying there aren't circumstances where McDavid would make sense but those appear to be VERY remote.

Blues have a good structure for a mid-market team, they should stay the course.

Very much agree with this post.

[Younghopp1991]

If he hits free agency does chicago make a serious offer? Mcdavid and bedard playing together. Bedards entry contract is up after next year and if he doesnt blow up next year they get cheap 2 year bridge before he really gets paid. Chicago refuses to put talent around him and i heard on 101 chicago isnt looking for bug time players this year (take that for what its worth) idk it just makes sense and i hate it.

He is not getting to free agency. He resigns or the Oilers trade him for a haul. They are not losing him for nothing.

Even if he gets traded chicago still makes sense. They have the cap space and the prospect and draft capital.

[IsDurbanodoingtime]

So much to unpack here, but foremost Edmonton and McDavid may have likely just closed the window together and individually for a cup.

If this is McDavids stance, there isn’t another team in the league that can afford what McDavid is going to ask for and support a competitive team around him. That Edmonton group was about as close as anyone was ever going to get with his cap hit.

Likewise there isn’t going to be a team in the league with cup aspirations that is going to trade the package required to get him and then pay him his number.

It’s never been more obvious that cups are won now with extreme depth.

The destinations willing to commit the % of cap to him alone are the teams looking to build a fanbase vs. win a cup.

Just look across the ice at Florida where you’re likely going to see heroes like Bennett, Marchand and ekblad take pay cuts to stay with a team and win more cups.

Pretty spot on. A veritable golden handcuff that militates to him staying in Edmonton. The only exception perhaps is non state i come tax team clearing space for him like maybe the Bolts.
Interesting thought experience. If McDavid agreed to come to the Blues, 1) what would it take and 2) would you do it?
I would start with Thomas, Snuggerud, Broberg(ouch)and 2 firsts? Would probably set you back though all things considered.

The Blues are on the cusp of being a competitive playoff force. They don't need a McDavid. Ask MacKinnon about the Blues, they were driving him crazy at the end of the season.

I'm not saying there aren't circumstances where McDavid would make sense but those appear to be VERY remote.

Blues have a good structure for a mid-market team, they should stay the course.

Very much agree with this post.

I agree (as was ww's original post). For most contending teams it doesn't make sense or nor is it realistically doable to give up the assets to acquire mcdavid and increase the probability of improving your chances to win a cup. You lose key chips as part of the trade or through shedding cap space.

[theograce]

If he hits free agency does chicago make a serious offer? Mcdavid and bedard playing together. Bedards entry contract is up after next year and if he doesnt blow up next year they get cheap 2 year bridge before he really gets paid. Chicago refuses to put talent around him and i heard on 101 chicago isnt looking for bug time players this year (take that for what its worth) idk it just makes sense and i hate it.

He is not getting to free agency. He resigns or the Oilers trade him for a haul. They are not losing him for nothing.

Even if he gets traded chicago still makes sense. They have the cap space and the prospect and draft capital.

If he goes anywhere it will be a place where he believes he can win. He’s not going to Chicago

[rezero]

McDavid will be with a US team in the next 14 months making $20M/yr. Bank on it!

[MiamiLaw]

So much to unpack here, but foremost Edmonton and McDavid may have likely just closed the window together and individually for a cup.

If this is McDavids stance, there isn’t another team in the league that can afford what McDavid is going to ask for and support a competitive team around him. That Edmonton group was about as close as anyone was ever going to get with his cap hit.

Likewise there isn’t going to be a team in the league with cup aspirations that is going to trade the package required to get him and then pay him his number.

It’s never been more obvious that cups are won now with extreme depth.

The destinations willing to commit the % of cap to him alone are the teams looking to build a fanbase vs. win a cup.

Just look across the ice at Florida where you’re likely going to see heroes like Bennett, Marchand and ekblad take pay cuts to stay with a team and win more cups.

Pretty spot on. A veritable golden handcuff that militates to him staying in Edmonton. The only exception perhaps is non state i come tax team clearing space for him like maybe the Bolts.
Interesting thought experience. If McDavid agreed to come to the Blues, 1) what would it take and 2) would you do it?
I would start with Thomas, Snuggerud, Broberg(ouch)and 2 firsts? Would probably set you back though all things considered.

The Blues are on the cusp of being a competitive playoff force. They don't need a McDavid. Ask MacKinnon about the Blues, they were driving him crazy at the end of the season.

I'm not saying there aren't circumstances where McDavid would make sense but those appear to be VERY remote.

Blues have a good structure for a mid-market team, they should stay the course.

Very much agree with this post.

I agree (as was ww's original post). For most contending teams it doesn't make sense or nor is it realistically doable to give up the assets to acquire mcdavid and increase the probability of improving your chances to win a cup. You lose key chips as part of the trade or through shedding cap space.

Yea you’re trading a ton of chips for the privilege of paying him the highest salary in the league. He’s not as movable as some might think.

[rbirules]

Are we overlooking how much control McDavid has over the situation with his NMC? He can veto not only any destination, but any deal. If he says he's not signing an extension he can say I'll accept a deal to one of these teams (1, 2, 3, 5, 10, etc.) or else I'll go for it one last year here and sign wherever I want in 12 months.

This destroys leverage for the Oilers. Why would he agree to a trade where the team he wants to join just lost several of the reasons he wanted to go there (good players)? He wouldn't, or rather couldn't if he didn't want to. As a one year rental he's worth a couple of firsts and a good prospect or two. Rantanen returned Necas and a 1st, IIRC. But he had a limited no trade list. But with a full NMC McDavid can drive the price down some more if he wants to.

It's not gonna cost Thomas, Snuggerud, a few 1sts, and another player because he wouldn't want to come here anymore. Same for any team he would want to go to. He certainly has value in 25/26 at $12.5M instead of waiting 12 months but, again, he can suppress that value with his NMC (if he wants to).

[Younghopp1991]

If he hits free agency does chicago make a serious offer? Mcdavid and bedard playing together. Bedards entry contract is up after next year and if he doesnt blow up next year they get cheap 2 year bridge before he really gets paid. Chicago refuses to put talent around him and i heard on 101 chicago isnt looking for bug time players this year (take that for what its worth) idk it just makes sense and i hate it.

He is not getting to free agency. He resigns or the Oilers trade him for a haul. They are not losing him for nothing.

Even if he gets traded chicago still makes sense. They have the cap space and the prospect and draft capital.

If he goes anywhere it will be a place where he believes he can win. He’s not going to Chicago

Maybe, but i cant think of another team right now who is a mcdavid away, can aford 15m+ and can still keep those pieces that attracted him there in the first place.

[Backesdraft]

If he hits free agency does chicago make a serious offer? Mcdavid and bedard playing together. Bedards entry contract is up after next year and if he doesnt blow up next year they get cheap 2 year bridge before he really gets paid. Chicago refuses to put talent around him and i heard on 101 chicago isnt looking for bug time players this year (take that for what its worth) idk it just makes sense and i hate it.

He is not getting to free agency. He resigns or the Oilers trade him for a haul. They are not losing him for nothing.

Even if he gets traded chicago still makes sense. They have the cap space and the prospect and draft capital.

If he goes anywhere it will be a place where he believes he can win. He’s not going to Chicago

Maybe, but i cant think of another team right now who is a mcdavid away, can aford 15m+ and can still keep those pieces that attracted him there in the first place.

NYR seem like a real possibility. McDavid and the Big Apple makes all the sense in the world.

[rbirules]

If he hits free agency does chicago make a serious offer? Mcdavid and bedard playing together. Bedards entry contract is up after next year and if he doesnt blow up next year they get cheap 2 year bridge before he really gets paid. Chicago refuses to put talent around him and i heard on 101 chicago isnt looking for bug time players this year (take that for what its worth) idk it just makes sense and i hate it.

He is not getting to free agency. He resigns or the Oilers trade him for a haul. They are not losing him for nothing.

Even if he gets traded chicago still makes sense. They have the cap space and the prospect and draft capital.

If he goes anywhere it will be a place where he believes he can win. He’s not going to Chicago

Maybe, but i cant think of another team right now who is a mcdavid away, can aford 15m+ and can still keep those pieces that attracted him there in the first place.

Any contender with close to $15M in cap space and their 1st round picks the next couple of years. He just vetoes any trade that guts a team's core.

[netboy65]

Are we overlooking how much control McDavid has over the situation with his NMC? He can veto not only any destination, but any deal. If he says he's not signing an extension he can say I'll accept a deal to one of these teams (1, 2, 3, 5, 10, etc.) or else I'll go for it one last year here and sign wherever I want in 12 months.

This destroys leverage for the Oilers. Why would he agree to a trade where the team he wants to join just lost several of the reasons he wanted to go there (good players)? He wouldn't, or rather couldn't if he didn't want to. As a one year rental he's worth a couple of firsts and a good prospect or two. Rantanen returned Necas and a 1st, IIRC. But he had a limited no trade list. But with a full NMC McDavid can drive the price down some more if he wants to.

It's not gonna cost Thomas, Snuggerud, a few 1sts, and another player because he wouldn't want to come here anymore. Same for any team he would want to go to. He certainly has value in 25/26 at $12.5M instead of waiting 12 months but, again, he can suppress that value with his NMC (if he wants to).

True enough, but I don’t think it would be “where ever he wants” Only the bottom feeders typically have the cap space, certainly not major contenders.

[rbirules]

Are we overlooking how much control McDavid has over the situation with his NMC? He can veto not only any destination, but any deal. If he says he's not signing an extension he can say I'll accept a deal to one of these teams (1, 2, 3, 5, 10, etc.) or else I'll go for it one last year here and sign wherever I want in 12 months.

This destroys leverage for the Oilers. Why would he agree to a trade where the team he wants to join just lost several of the reasons he wanted to go there (good players)? He wouldn't, or rather couldn't if he didn't want to. As a one year rental he's worth a couple of firsts and a good prospect or two. Rantanen returned Necas and a 1st, IIRC. But he had a limited no trade list. But with a full NMC McDavid can drive the price down some more if he wants to.

It's not gonna cost Thomas, Snuggerud, a few 1sts, and another player because he wouldn't want to come here anymore. Same for any team he would want to go to. He certainly has value in 25/26 at $12.5M instead of waiting 12 months but, again, he can suppress that value with his NMC (if he wants to).

True enough, but I don’t think it would be “where ever he wants” Only the bottom feeders typically have the cap space, certainly not major contenders.

His cap hit for 25/26 is only $12.5M. That certainly excludes some contenders going after him but not all. Also those contenders could send contracts back in a trade. For example, the Blues have about $11.5M in cap space, once you account for Krug on LTIR, with only Hofer to sign. It wouldn't take much to clear a few million to be able to take on McDavid's cap hit. Or you have the Oilers retain a portion of it. The Kings could probably pretty easily absorb his cap hit, the Canes definitely could. The Leafs could probably do it but they'd have to fill out the rest of the roster on the cheap . . . or exactly what they've been doing for years now. Utah could do it. Columbus could probably do it as well. Vancouver wouldn't have to do too much to make it work. Obviously Chicago and Nashville could do it, but why would McDavid want to go to either . . . right now.

Obviously if he expressed an interest to go to a particular team, I'm sure that team, those teams on the list, would explore every option to see if they could make it work from a roster and cap perspective.

I think the Blues are actually positioned better than most teams for a situation like that in terms of cap space with few holes to fill (i.e. don't need cap for a lot of other signings), a contender or close to it (I would say we're a contender if you magically add McDavid to our roster and take away very little), and have picks or prospects that we could trade without horribly messing up our core (assuming McDavid uses his leverage to make sure the team doesn't gut their roster to get him).