A bigger conversation could soon begin regarding Connor McDavid and his future with the Edmonton Oilers. McDavid was not pleased with Edmonton's performance during the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs after reaching the finals the previous two seasons. However, what if the NHL superstar decides to leave the Oilers for a better situation?
Below, we're taking a look at five NHL teams to see if McDavid requests a trade from Edmonton.
san jose sharks

The future is very bright for the San Jose Sharks full of elite prospects. If McDavid is interested in playing alongside Maclin Celebrini, San Jose has the asset pool to satisfy Edmonton. There will be questions as to whether the Oilers will trade McDavid within the division, but not many teams have better trade packages.
utah mammoth

The Utah Mammoth are another team that has a lot of business to do right now. Utah is in the Western Conference, but the Oilers will be able to get the edge thanks to their NHL superstar. Under the leadership of Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley, the addition of McDavid will benefit the organization. The question is whether McDavid wants to play in Utah or a bigger market.
tampa bay lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning are clearly a good fit for McDavid. If McDavid requests a trade, Tampa will have a bigger chance to get him on the short list because of head coach John Cooper. At the Olympics and Four Nations, Cooper led Canada and McDavid was their star player. If anything changes in Edmonton, the Lightning figure to be paired with McDavid.
montreal canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens are on the rise, and may be assured of a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals. If McDavid ever wants to move out of Edmonton, Montreal has the ability to make a trade work by linking him to Cole Caufield & Co. This would allow McDavid to remain in Canada during his championship season with the Canadiens.
Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs would love to add Connor McDavid, and it could be a mutual feeling. McDavid has had ties to Toronto since his childhood, and a trade with the Maple Leafs would help him come home. Toronto may not be an attractive destination after missing the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but McDavid could help the team moving forward.
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