Latest news with #Oilers
Time of India
an hour ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Connor McDavid rumors explode as Leon Draisaitl speaks on uncertain Edmonton Oilers future
After back-to-back Stanley Cup Final losses, questions are rising about Connor McDavid's future with the Edmonton Oilers. Fans are wondering if the team's biggest star will stay or move on. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Though McDavid hasn't said anything about leaving, the rumors are louder than ever. Now, after the team's second straight defeat to the Florida Panthers, teammate Leon Draisaitl has shared his honest thoughts and his answer might surprise you. Leon Draisaitl says he has not discussed Connor McDavid's future yet Leon Draisaitl spoke to the media on Tuesday, June 18, 2025, just one day after the Edmonton Oilers lost the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers in Game 6. The loss happened at Rogers Place in Edmonton. During a postgame interview, Draisaitl was asked directly if he knew anything about Connor McDavid's plans. 'I'm going to be honest,' Draisaitl said. 'I haven't really talked to Connor about it. There comes a time when we talk about it, but there's nothing I can tell you right now that you want to hear or need to hear.' Draisaitl made it clear that while he doesn't know what McDavid will do, he respects his teammate's decision. He added, 'That's his situation, and he will do what's best for him and his family. Do I want him here forever? Yes, of course. I think everybody does.' Draisaitl himself recently signed a contract extension that will keep him with the Oilers through the 2032–2033 NHL season. But McDavid has only one year left on his current deal and could request a trade if he wants a fresh start elsewhere. Connor McDavid praises Florida Panthers after back-to-back losses Connor McDavid also spoke after the final loss on Monday, June 17, 2025. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Oilers had once again fallen to the Florida Panthers, who won the Cup for the second year in a row. Last year, Edmonton forced a Game 7. This year, it ended in Game 6. Also Read: 'They're a really good team,' McDavid said in the press conference. 'We kept saying we wanted to win a 2–1 game, and we never found a way to do that. They're deep. How many guys had 20-plus points in the postseason? Six? That says everything.' McDavid also said, 'Nobody quit, nobody gave up, but they're back-to-back champs for a reason.' Brad Marchand, who joined the Panthers this season, played a big role and was even in talks for the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'A king without a crown': Greg Cote destroys Connor McDavid's legacy for Wayne Gretzky comparisons after Stanley Cup failure
Greg Cote labels Connor McDavid as 'McOverrated' (Image via AP) Connor McDavid's hopes of solidifying his status among the all-time greats took another massive hit as the Edmonton Oilers fell to the Florida Panthers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. For the second straight year, the Oilers came up short, and once again, McDavid's performance underwhelmed when it mattered most. Greg Cote harshly dismisses Connor McDavid's G.O.A.T. case after second Stanley Cup Final loss After managing just one goal and five assists over the six-game series, many are beginning to wonder whether Connor McDavid can ever truly join the elite tier of players like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, or Sidney Crosby. While McDavid remains one of the most electrifying players in hockey, the lack of a championship continues to shadow his legacy. Longtime critic Greg Cote didn't hold back in his latest column, slamming McDavid for his performance. 'I have written and said for two years that McDavid should not be called 'McJesus' or the next Gretzky or given G.O.A.T. status because he remains a king without a crown,' Cote said. 'The Panthers again have verified my claim, and served to underline my admittedly harsh nickname for McDavid: McOverrated.' Cote also pointed to McDavid's ineffectiveness during the Final: 'He might be the best player in hockey, but he was not the best player in this series, or even on his team, or good enough to elevate his team to be the best, either. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Concentrated Siberian Ginseng Extract 2oz Superior Ginseng Undo In the six final games, he managed but one goal and five assists. McJesus was not walking on (ice) water. He was mostly invisible.' The Florida Panthers' Aleksander Barkov's dominant two-way play was a major factor in limiting McDavid's impact, as Edmonton's top line was largely neutralized. Despite back-to-back Final losses and speculation about a potential departure, NHL insider Frank Seravalli believes McDavid isn't going anywhere. 'I fully expect… that Connor McDavid will be signing that eight-year extension with the Oilers at some point this summer,' Seravalli said on Sportsnet. Also Read: Wayne Gretzky creates controversy, blames Oilers' Stanley Cup collapse on unforgivable goalie decision With the salary cap projected to rise to $104 million by 2026-27, Edmonton will have the resources to lock in their captain. Still, the pressure to deliver a championship—and silence critics like Cote—has never been higher. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Wayne Gretzky warning sends Edmonton Oilers fans into panic after another Stanley Cup defeat
Wayne Gretzky warning sends Edmonton Oilers fans into panic after another Stanley Cup defeat (Image Source: Getty Images) The Edmonton Oilers fell short again in the Stanley Cup Final, and fans were not the only ones disappointed. Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, who once led the team to glory, had some strong words after the loss. The comments came right after the Oilers lost to the Florida Panthers in Game 6. But what exactly did Gretzky say that got everyone talking? Wayne Gretzky questions Oilers' goalie decision after Game 6 loss On Tuesday, June 18, 2025, the Edmonton Oilers lost 5-1 to the Florida Panthers in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. The match took place at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Stuart Skinner started in goal for Edmonton after being benched in Games 4 and 5. He stopped 20 out of 23 shots, but Florida added two empty-net goals in the third period, making the final score look even worse. After the game, Wayne Gretzky appeared on Turner Sports to talk about what went wrong. Gretzky, who played for the Oilers from 1979 to 1988 and helped them win four Stanley Cups, didn't hold back. He focused on the team's goalie situation. 'Is this our goalie or not? They gotta solidify that,' Gretzky said. 'You can't go into Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals and switch your goaltenders. That's very rare that it's ever happened. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 유일한 공식 무료 SOC 게임! 설치도 없습니다! 경복의 바다 게임 플레이 Undo ' His comments pointed to the uncertainty the Oilers showed when they changed goalies during the most important games of the season. While Skinner was chosen again for Game 6, the earlier decisions raised concerns for Gretzky and many others watching. Edmonton Oilers struggle again in the Stanley Cup Final The loss marked the second year in a row that the Edmonton Oilers were defeated by the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. They also came up short in 2024. The team's last championship win came back in 1990, just two years after they traded Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings. Since then, the Oilers have had ups and downs but haven't been able to return to the top. Also Read: Dustin Johnson's Golf Struggles Spark Outrage As Paulina Gretzky Praises Father Wayne Gretzky In Viral Post The goalie change was just one part of the problem, but it stood out the most. Many fans and experts believe that the team needs a clear plan for their starting goalie if they want to win a title again. Wayne Gretzky's words have added more pressure on the Oilers to fix their issues before the next season begins. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Toronto Star
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Connor McDavid speaks, and opens the door for a future outside of Edmonton
You have to presume that Connor McDavid knows what it means to be Connor McDavid, so he knows at least two things. One, how important he is to the Oilers, to the city of Edmonton, to the province of Alberta, and to the sport; two, how goddamn great he is. His nickname is McJesus, and it fits; in Oilers terms, he is the true heir to hockey's god. That also means McDavid's every word must sometimes be treated like scripture, a sacred text. Thursday McDavid spoke, two days after losing a second straight Stanley Cup final to the Florida Panthers. Disappointment and a fear of the future swirled in the air. Like when McDavid was asked whether he feels he has unfinished business in Edmonton, for instance.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL trade rumors: Evander Kane likely on the move as Oilers explore major shake-up after Stanley Cup loss
Oilers are considering trading Evander Kane to free up cap space (Getty Images) After a crushing loss in the Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers now face what could be their most pivotal offseason in years — and all signs point to big changes. Among them, star winger Evander Kane may soon be on the move as the franchise looks to create much-needed salary cap space. Evander Kane emerges as top trade candidate in Edmonton's reshuffle According to NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Kane's name has surfaced as a likely trade chip, just days after the Oilers' defeat to the Florida Panthers. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Pagnotta reported: 'Also on Oilers, in an effort to create additional salary cap space, I wouldn't be shocked to see the names of Evander Kane (16-team trade list) and Viktor Arvidsson (full NMC) pop up in the trade market this month.' Kane, who carries a $5.125 million cap hit, has one season remaining on the four-year, $20.5 million extension he signed in 2022. With Edmonton's depth faltering during the Finals, Kane's inconsistent playoff production may have tipped the scales toward parting ways — despite his value as a physical, top-six forward. Oilers have limited cap space and major contracts to address The Oilers enter the 2025 offseason with under $12 million in available cap space and a growing list of free agents. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No dark spots, 10 years younger! Just take this from Guardian URUHIME MOMOKO Learn More Undo Evan Bouchard, Connor Brown, Corey Perry, John Klingberg, and Jeff Skinner are all due new contracts. Meanwhile, Connor McDavid becomes eligible for an extension on July 1 — a storyline that could dominate NHL headlines for months. Keeping both McDavid and Leon Draisaitl happy and convinced they can win in Edmonton is a top priority. That likely means surrounding them with a deeper, more reliable supporting cast — even if it comes at the cost of moving on from well-known names like Kane and Arvidsson. Florida outclassed the Oilers from the start of the series, and the loss exposed serious flaws in Edmonton's depth. While stars like McDavid and Draisaitl remain untouchable, few others on the roster can say the same. This offseason isn't just about cap gymnastics — it's about saving Edmonton's championship window. Also Read: NHL Trade Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs eye Sam Bennett as potential Mitch Marner replacement in free agency shake-up Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
