But there will likely be a number of factors at play here. McDavid will surely get a record-setting contract, potentially of the max seven-year variety (or eight years in a sign-and-trade). But if he does that, anything could happen, even a joining with the Bruins.

At this point, it seems like the most likely outcome for Connor McDavid at the end of the 2025 NHL season is to sign an eight-year, $120 million contract to return to the Edmonton Oilers. But what if he doesn’t?

Gretz proposed a hypothetical where the Maple Leafs land McDavid in 2026, thus creating a "dominant 1-2 punch" alongside Auston Matthews in the league’s biggest Canadian market.