This proven blueprint could pull Connor McDavid out of Edmonton

They have proven they could do it over and over, each time right before the free agency opens up. Earlier this month, the Vegas Golden Knights landed the biggest free agent of the summer of 2025, acquiring star Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now with one of the biggest class of free agents coming next summer, some pundits and insiders are staring to wonder if the Golden Knights will look to re-sign one of their own in forward Jack Eichel, or go after the biggest free agents of them all in Connor McDavid. He has been eligible to sign an extension since July 1 before playing out the final season of an eight-year, $100-million contract in 2025-26, but both he and the Edmonton Oilers have said there is no rush.

Unless the Golden Knights strike again…

Because Vegas could elect to go after McDavid instead of Eichel next offseason. NHL writer Adam Gretz of Bleacher Report put together a list of teams that could go after McDavid next offseason, and of course, Vegas grapped a spot on it.

“Salary cap? What salary cap?! They’ll figure it out later…Eichel is great. He helped Vegas win a Stanley Cup. But when has loyalty ever been a thing for the Golden Knights? This is the most cutthroat, win-at-all-costs organization in the NHL. If there is even a small chance that McDavid could be available, they’ll likely be plotting a way to get involved,” Gretz wrote.

While history has shown that Vegas often finds incredible ways to make crazy moves happen, the Knights’ biggest obstacle in the pursuit of McDavid would be the money. How could they fit McDavid if he opts for the max contract, which would be 20 percent of the projected $104 million. Under that scenario, the most the average annual value can come in at is $20.8 million. Perhaps if Vegas moves on from Eichel and goes all in for a run at McDavid…

There is no doubt however that McDavid has made it clear on what his focus is on when committing to his future on his next deal. His first career Stanley Cup trumps all else. And maybe that happens in Vegas, with a very solid team, especially with the addition of Marner. Add McDavid to the mix, and they’re unbeatable.

Although insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet believes McDavid will not hit free agency and remain an Oiler, only time will tell.