“He’s going to….”: Connor McDavid’s contract future keeps NHL buzzing as TNT’s Paul Bissonette shifts his stance

The Edmonton Oilers’ Stanley Cup heartbreak in 2025 left fans with one pressing question—will Connor McDavid chase glory in Edmonton or somewhere else? The superstar forward is entering the final year of his contract, and while speculation continues, his recent comments have given Oilers fans cautious optimism.Few voices have been louder than TNT analyst and former defenseman Paul Bissonette, who for months insisted Connor McDavid’s future wasn’t in Edmonton. On his Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, co-host Ryan Whitney challenged him after McDavid’s encouraging words at Canada’s Olympic orientation camp. “Do you guys want to maybe say, ‘I’m sorry’ yet?” Whitney asked, hinting that McDavid was likely to re-sign.Bissonette quickly clarified, “No, no, no, no. That’s not true … I said that I think he’s going to sign a two-year extension. And then he’s saying, ‘Bye-bye. I’ve done my time here.’” While Bissonette still believes Edmonton may not surround McDavid with the right roster—particularly in goal—his comments marked a notable softening compared to his past critiques.Back on August 27, McDavid finally broke months of silence, saying: “I have every intention to win in Edmonton. That’s my only focus … maybe next to winning a gold medal with Canada.” It was the clearest sign yet of his commitment, though he quickly tempered expectations, adding: “I’d say all options are on the table, really. We’re going through it. I don’t have a preference either way.”Also Read: Connor McDavid to Toronto? Why Oilers fans can’t ignore the growing Maple Leafs rumorsFor now, Oilers general manager Bob Bowman has stressed that the process will move at McDavid’s pace. With record-setting numbers expected in any extension, the only certainty is that McDavid’s decision will shape not just Edmonton’s future, but the entire NHL landscape.