The hot take that set the hockey world on fire
When former NHL defenseman Erik Johnson appeared on The Pat McAfee Show, he dropped a bold prediction about Connor McDavid that immediately grabbed headlines across the hockey world.
Johnson boldly stated that either McDavid or Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews would eventually land with the Minnesota Wild at some point over the next three years.
A season to forget for the Edmonton Oilers
The 2025-26 campaign was rough for the Edmonton Oilers, who struggled with consistency all season and ultimately lost in the Western Conference Quarterfinals to the Anaheim Ducks.
That early playoff exit amplified concerns about whether the Oilers could build a championship-caliber roster around their captain and what that failure meant for his future in Edmonton.
Toronto’s troubles add fuel to the fire
While the Oilers were struggling in the playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs were having an even rougher time, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs entirely for the first time since 2016.
That playoff absence immediately sparked widespread speculation about Auston Matthews’ future in Toronto, and it placed both superstar captains under intense trade rumor scrutiny at exactly the same time.
Where McDavid and Matthews stand contractually
Connor McDavid is signed with the Edmonton Oilers through the 2026-27 season, while Auston Matthews has a contract that keeps him with the Toronto Maple Leafs through 2027-28.
Despite those deals being in place, the uncertainty about winning a Stanley Cup has kept trade speculation alive and very much part of the conversation around both players.
Organizational shake-ups raise even more questions
Following another disappointing season, both the Oilers and the Maple Leafs made significant leadership changes within their organizations, adding more uncertainty to what was already a turbulent offseason.
Those changes reignited serious questions about the direction each franchise was heading and whether big-name stars like McDavid and Matthews would remain long enough to see results.
Erik Johnson makes his case on national television
Erik Johnson, a former NHL defenseman who now works as an analyst, shared his opinion during a guest appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, a widely-watched sports talk program.
He made clear that it was a deliberate hot take, expressing genuine confidence that the Wild would somehow find a way to land one of the game’s top players.
Minnesota’s biggest gap in their roster
According to Johnson, the Minnesota Wild’s most pressing roster need is a legitimate No. 1 center, a position he identified as the team’s clear weakness heading into the offseason.
Johnson went on to describe Minnesota’s center position as the team’s clear Achilles heel, suggesting that without solving it, the Wild would fall short of their Stanley Cup ambitions.
The contract details that complicate a McDavid move
Before the 2025-26 season kicked off, McDavid signed a two-year contract extension with the Oilers worth $25 million, carrying an average annual value of $12.5 million per season.
On top of that, his deal includes a full no-movement clause, which means any trade would require McDavid’s personal approval, putting the power firmly in his hands.
Bill Guerin’s win-at-all-costs mentality
After the Wild’s postseason ended, General Manager Bill Guerin made it clear he was fully prepared to do whatever it takes to finally bring the Stanley Cup to Minnesota.
Guerin’s aggressive approach to team-building has put rival GMs on notice, with the message being that no deal is too big if it means pushing the Wild over the edge.
The Quinn Hughes blockbuster sets the tone
To back up his bold words, Guerin proved earlier in the 2025-26 season that he could pull off a blockbuster trade, acquiring star defenseman Quinn Hughes in a massive deal.
That bold trade sent a strong signal around the league that Minnesota was serious about competing for a championship, and it raised the question of what Guerin might do next.
Fun fact: Connor McDavid once became so dominant at youth hockey that his parents reportedly adjusted his age category just to keep games competitive and interesting for him.
Minnesota’s core that makes a McDavid fit possible
The Wild already have a strong long-term foundation in place, with winger Kirill Kaprizov locked into an eight-year, $136 million extension that carries him through the 2033-34 season.
Defenseman Brock Faber adds even more stability to that core, as he is signed through the 2032-33 season, giving Minnesota a reliable defensive anchor for years ahead.
Why a McDavid arrival in 2026-27 is off the table
Despite all the speculation, a McDavid trade happening before the 2026-27 season is essentially a non-starter, as his no-movement clause means the Oilers cannot move him without his consent.
For things to shift, the Oilers would need to fall short of winning a Stanley Cup again, and McDavid himself would have to decide he wants out of Edmonton.
Nathan MacKinnon’s relentless drive often defies typical scoring trends. Explore how his unique training approach gave him the edge for the Rocket Richard Trophy and dive into the specific mechanics behind his historic offensive surge this season.
A rumor that will only grow louder with time
With McDavid’s contract set to expire in 2027, the window for any dramatic roster change is approaching, and the pressure on Edmonton to deliver a championship has never been greater.
As for Johnson’s prediction, it may stay just a hot take for now, but if the Oilers fail again, the Minnesota Wild scenario could very well turn into reality.
With Connor McDavid defining the standard for professional excellence, the Edmonton Oilers are fueled by a truly rare level of leadership. Explore the daily habits behind his relentless drive and dive into how this obsession shapes their championship pursuit.
Do you think the Oilers can keep Connor McDavid long-term, or could a bold team like the Wild eventually convince hockey’s biggest star to leave Edmonton? Share your thoughts below.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
Read More From This Brand:
