Connor McDavid’s long-rumored link to the Toronto Maple Leafs remains one of hockey’s most persistent storylines, but the odds of it happening anytime soon are slimmer than ever.
NHL Analyst Bruce Arthur’s Take on Connor McDavid to Leafs
As the Edmonton Oilers prepare for a second straight Stanley Cup Final appearance, NHL analyst Bruce Arthur has outlined what would have to happen for the Thornhill native to leave Edmonton for Toronto, and it’s not encouraging news for Leafs fans.
“There was a time when Edmonton’s failure always opened a highly theoretical door,” Arthur wrote in the Toronto Star. “But now the Oilers are in the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year and are closer to winning than they’ve ever been.”
OH MY CONNOR MCDAVID 🥵🥵 pic.twitter.com/O62mJb5L2w
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 30, 2025
McDavid’s postseason dominance has only strengthened his ties to Edmonton. After narrowly missing out on a championship in 2024, the Oilers have returned to the Final behind McDavid’s 26 points in 16 playoff games. Another Conn Smythe Trophy could be on the horizon, which would make McDavid the first skater since Sidney Crosby to win the award in consecutive years.
As Leafs fans dream about McDavid someday seeking a move to Toronto, his loyalty to Edmonton has not wavered. The Oilers are reportedly preparing to offer McDavid a contract extension this summer, and with the team’s core strengthening around him, there’s little incentive for the 28-year-old to look elsewhere.
The Oilers’ depth has evolved beyond their star duo. Defenseman Evan Bouchard has emerged as one of the league’s top offensive blue-liners, and secondary scoring has helped balance the lineup, a far cry from Edmonton’s earlier, top-heavy rosters.
The Leafs should think bigger. They 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 to think bigger — to next summer, when Connor McDavid potentially becomes the greatest free agent in NHL history.
Could McDavid in Toronto actually happen? pic.twitter.com/ula0InPhSR
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 29, 2025
Meanwhile, Toronto faces its own set of challenges. The Leafs are coming off another early playoff exit, and the future of Mitch Marner remains uncertain. Veteran captain John Tavares is nearing the final years of his career, and while Auston Matthews continues to produce, questions remain about Toronto’s supporting cast.
“So why would he leave? If he wins in Edmonton, the journey is complete, but would you leave Draisaitl for Matthews, who isn’t as reliable as a co-star? Would you leave Evan Bouchard for Rielly, who isn’t as productive a flawed talent at the back?” Arthur quipped.
General manager Brad Treliving has acknowledged that change is necessary, saying the Leafs’ “DNA needs to change” after repeated postseason disappointments. Still, even with potential roster shakeups, Toronto would need a compelling case to lure McDavid, assuming he would even entertain the idea.
For now, the only plausible path to McDavid in a Leafs uniform would be driven by personal ambition — to return home and deliver a long-awaited Stanley Cup to Toronto.
“No, the only hope now is that after dragging Edmonton to a Cup with Draisaitl and company, McDavid decides to climb the tallest mountain: to rescue his hometown team from its self-inflicted torture and become as immortal as any hockey player has ever been,” Arthur wrote.
Given the Oilers’ current position and McDavid’s growing legacy in Edmonton, that scenario remains highly unlikely.
