Here are the three favorite teams to land Connor McDavid if he leaves the Oilers

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a translated article originally published to habsolumentfan.com by staff writer Marco Normandin.

Connor McDavid 's future in Edmonton is once again the subject of speculation. While the best player in the world continues to dominate the NHL, the question of his potential departure from the Oilers is fueling discussions among analysts and fans. A recent comment from a well-known NHL Network journalist has reignited the debate, identifying three franchises that could be favorites in the derby should number 97 decide to change teams.

Three destinations that are generating a lot of discussion

In an interview on the Bleed Oil Blue podcast , journalist EJ Hradek , citing his sources, named the Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers as the three most likely destinations for Connor McDavid should he leave Edmonton. According to Hradek, the deciding factor for the player would be the opportunity to win the Stanley Cup. The desire to win would guide McDavid's choice, regardless of the market or the size of the city.

These three names, however, sparked a wave of skepticism, both among Oilers fans and league observers. Several online commentators quickly pointed out an apparent contradiction in Hradek's analysis. If winning is truly McDavid's number one criterion, how can it be explained that the three teams mentioned haven't even made the playoffs recently? One particularly incisive comment noted that the price to pay in players and draft picks to acquire McJesus would be so high that it would set any of these teams back at least five years in their rebuilding process.

Other fans were downright incredulous at the idea that McDavid could end up in Detroit, a franchise in the midst of a rebuild, or even in Philadelphia, which is still trying to build a competitive core. The Rangers, despite playing in the league's largest market, are also going through a period of transition.

A still hypothetical scenario, but one that captivates

It's important to remember that this discussion remains entirely speculative. There's no concrete indication that McDavid wants to leave Edmonton. However, in a league where star player moves constantly make headlines, the mere possibility of such a transfer is enough to ignite social media and sports commentary.

The fact that Hradek prioritizes winning adds an interesting layer to the discussion. Specifically, if he were to consider him, the Montreal Canadiens would be one of the best-positioned teams, given their current situation, the pool of prospects available for trade, and their salary cap space, to land the best player in the world.

• Connor McDavid , 29, is a 6'1", 194-pound left-handed center selected in the first round (first overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Last season, he recorded 48 goals and 90 assists for 138 points in 82 games. He has two years remaining on his contract, which pays him an average of $12.5 million per season.