The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers entered the summer facing growing pressure after vastly different but equally disappointing endings to their 2026 campaigns. Toronto missed the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade, while Edmonton failed to build on consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances after an early postseason exit.
With questions surrounding the direction of both franchises, social media speculation has intensified around the league’s biggest stars. This week, speculation centered around a viral photo involving Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid, leading many fans to believe the two captains had privately discussed a possible blockbuster move.
Viral Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid Photo From 2024 Incorrectly Tied to Trade Rumors
Matthews and McDavid did not recently hold a trade-related meeting in Edmonton despite claims circulating online this week.
The viral image was reposted by an Oilers fan account on X alongside speculation suggesting Matthews wants out of Toronto and met McDavid at Cactus Club in Edmonton. The post jokingly referenced “McRecruiter,” implying McDavid was attempting to lure the Maple Leafs captain to the Oilers.
However, Jeff Veillette quickly corrected the claim after resharing the photo online on X. “This photo is going viral because Matthews speculation is the in thing right now,” Veillette wrote. “To play spoiler — it’s from 2024.”
The image itself is real, but the context attached to it is inaccurate. The dinner reportedly took place in Toronto during late August or early September of 2024 rather than in Edmonton in 2026. The timing also aligned with offseason training sessions and commercial appearances involving both players.
Matthews and McDavid share the same agent and have trained together during previous summers, including highly discussed skating sessions in Munich before the 2024-25 season. The two superstars also worked together on promotional campaigns, including a McDonald’s commercial tied to the NHL’s “Showdown” series.
The resurfaced photo gained traction because both players are under heavy scrutiny following disappointing team results. Matthews missed the postseason after Toronto struggled through injuries and roster turnover, while McDavid’s Oilers suffered a first-round elimination at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks.
Speculation surrounding Matthews has also increased after reports suggested he remains in wait-and-see mode regarding Toronto’s long-term direction. The Maple Leafs captain still has two seasons remaining on his contract after signing a four-year extension worth $53 million in 2023, and he controls his future through a full no-movement clause.
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McDavid’s situation has also generated league-wide discussion after Edmonton’s early playoff exit raised fresh questions about the Oilers’ championship window. Even so, there is no evidence linking the resurfaced restaurant photo to active trade discussions between the two stars.
The viral post ultimately appears to be another example of old content returning online during a period of heightened speculation surrounding two of the NHL’s most recognizable franchise players.
