The Edmonton Oilers entered the offseason with fresh questions surrounding Connor McDavid’s future after another playoff disappointment. His shorter-term contract has only added fuel to the conversation, keeping speculation alive across the NHL.
One rumor linking the superstar to Montreal has since caught fire and sent fans into overdrive. But before the buzz could grow any larger and all-consuming, a well-known Canadiens insider has stepped in with a reality check.
Renaud Lavoie Shuts Down Connor McDavid-to-Montreal Speculation
McDavid became the center of another offseason storyline after reports surfaced suggesting the Oilers captain had been spending time in Montreal and exploring potential living options in the city.
The rumor gained momentum after Montreal-based media personality Marc-Olivier Beaudoin suggested that the Canadiens could be among McDavid’s preferred destinations if he ever decided to leave Edmonton. While Beaudoin made it a point to note that nothing was imminent and this was on the off chance that McDavid might want to leave Oil Country, the seeds were planted.
The speculation intensified as social media users connected the story to the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend in Montreal, where McDavid’s wife was in attendance. With the Canadiens viewed as an emerging team led by a promising young core, many fans began imagining what a future involving McDavid could look like.
This narrative, however, was quickly challenged by TVA Sports insider Renaud Lavoie.
Appearing on Monday’s JiC show, Lavoie firmly rejected the reports that McDavid had been house hunting in Montreal. “Connor McDavid was not at the Grand Prix in Montreal. He did not do any house shopping. His wife was there. She was here for an event for which she had been invited. Period,” Lavoie said.
His comments directly addressed one of the biggest talking points fueling the rumor. While McDavid’s wife, Lauren Kyle, was present in the city, Lavoie made it clear that the Oilers captain was not conducting property visits or quietly preparing for a move.
Lavoie did acknowledge that Montreal’s status around the league has changed in recent years. Referencing a previous conversation with an influential NHL agent, he noted that elite players generally prioritize organizations with legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations.
“We’ll take it with a grain of salt,” Lavoie said before adding that if McDavid ever reached a point where he wanted a change, he would likely choose a destination capable of competing for a championship. According to Lavoie, “Montreal is becoming a preferred destination, in a way.”
Even so, this observation is very different from suggesting a move is imminent.
McDavid remains under contract with Edmonton through the 2027-28 season after signing a two-year, $25 million extension carrying a $12.5 million cap hit. The deal gives the Oilers valuable salary cap flexibility while also allowing McDavid to reassess the team’s direction before reaching unrestricted free agency in 2028.
The combination of Edmonton’s early playoff exit, McDavid’s short-term contract, and Montreal’s upward trajectory has created fertile ground for speculation. Yet, based on Lavoie’s reporting, the most talked-about part of the story, the idea that McDavid was scouting homes in Montreal, simply does not hold up.
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For now, the rumor remains exactly that: offseason chatter rather than a sign that hockey’s biggest star is preparing to leave Edmonton.
