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Connor McDavid of the Oilers.

Former Edmonton Oilers player Anson Carter said that he believes the team could trade Connor McDavid after getting bounced in the playoffs.

Carter, who played with the Oilers from 2000-2003, is a panelist with the NHL on TNT crew. Speaking after the Oilers lost 5-2 to the Anaheim Ducks and were bounced from the NHL playoffs, Carter said he believes the team could consider trading its captain, McDavid.

“I probably give him a year. This year, and then they have to decide what to do with Connor McDavid. I know he signed a two-year deal. He’s not going to make the two years. If there isn’t a drastic improvement with this hockey team, then I could see them moving McDavid. No Doubt,” Carter said.

Connor McDavid Signed 2-Year Contract Extension

McDavid was set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career this offseason, but last October, McDavid signed a two-year extension with the Oilers for $25 million. The deal was below market value, as McDavid took less money than he could get on the open market in order to help the Oilers beef up other areas of their roster and make another run to the Stanley Cup.

Unfortunately for the Oilers, McDavid’s selfishness has not paid off, as GM Stan Bowman wasted the savings from McDavid’s sweetheart deal by giving ugly, long-term money to players such as defenseman Jake Walman and forward Trent Frederic, plus trading for the bloated contract of goalie Tristan Jarry. All the money that McDavid gave up on his new contract was supposed to help the team improve in other areas, but instead, it appears the GM wasted the opportunity.

Possible Landing Spots for Connor McDavid

McDavid still has two years left on his deal, so the clock is ticking on the Oilers. Although they lost in the first round of the playoffs this year, they will go into next offseason with McDavid once again leading the charge for another run to the Stanley Cup finals next year. But if things don’t go the Oilers’ way next season, Carter is right. Instead of losing McDavid to free agency, the team would likely be forced to consider the unthinkable, which is trading their captain with one year left on his deal, to extract some trade value and not lose their superstar for nothing.

Should McDavid be on the trade block a year from now, all 31 other NHL teams would obviously be interested, as he is the league’s best player. But realistically speaking, there are a handful of teams that would make sense as potential landing spots.

Bigger-market clubs like the Los Angeles Kings, the New York Rangers, the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Toronto Maple Leafs would all be interested in him. You also have Sun Belt teams like the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, San Jose Sharks, and Dallas Stars that would love to have him, plus other contenders like the Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights, and Buffalo Sabres would all make trade offers if McDavid were truly put on the block.

For now, look for the Oilers to run things back next year, likely with a new goaltender and potentially a new head coach, but McDavid won’t stick around forever if the team can’t get over the proverbial playoff hump.