Pittsburgh Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL or NHLPA
P.K. Subban Sends Strong Message to McDavid After Another Heartbreaking Oilers Defeat
Photo credit: Edit from The Boston Globe
Former NHLer P.K. Subban sent a shocking message to Connor McDavid after yet another Stanley Cup defeat, asking him to strongly consider where he wants to play.
Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers have suffered another heartbreaking loss in the Stanley Cup Final.
For the second year in a row, it was the Florida Panthers who stood in the way, and for the second year in a row, it was the Panthers who were celebrating on the ice while the Oilers stood at the distant end.
Last year ended in heartbreak after a raucous comeback forced Game 7. This year, it ended in frustration. Edmonton was plainly outplayed, couldn't generate momentum, and was shut down in situations that counted.
Many are starting to wonder whether McDavid will ever win with Edmonton
It's a tenth NHL year for McDavid, and still no Stanley Cup. Despite being the most dynamic player in the league, doubts are already being raised about whether he can reach the ultimate goal in Edmonton or if he might need to go somewhere else.
Even former NHL defenceman P.K. Subban went as far as to say McDavid should strongly consider a change of scenery in order to win a championship.
"Well, personally, I was thinking about this a couple of years ago because I just didn't see management putting a good enough team around them. McDavid is so great, and Leon Draisaitl is so great, that they've been able to carry this team. But to win a championship, you're going to need more pieces than that. You look across the ice at the Florida Panthers, and Zito goes out and trades for Reinhart, Bennett, Tkachuk, Marchand at the deadline; Seth Jones, picks up Forsling off of waivers-like these are all acquisitions that have brought them to two Stanley Cups, back-to-back in three finals," Subban said.
"I haven't seen that in Edmonton. You look at the players they picked up; they didn't put them in the right positions to be successful, and they haven't gotten it done. So, for me, Connor McDavid has got to take a look at this final year on his contract. What's best for him? What is best for you? I love Edmonton, trust me; it's an amazing place to play. I know he wants to stay there. But right now, it's about him and what's best for him. He deserves to have an opportunity when, maybe it's in Edmonton, but I would be taking a strong look in the mirror at where he needs to be." Subban added.
"I haven't seen that in Edmonton. You look at the players they picked up; they didn't put them in the right positions to be successful, and they haven't gotten it done. So, for me, Connor McDavid has got to take a look at this final year on his contract. What's best for him? What is best for you? I love Edmonton, trust me; it's an amazing place to play. I know he wants to stay there. But right now, it's about him and what's best for him. He deserves to have an opportunity when, maybe it's in Edmonton, but I would be taking a strong look in the mirror at where he needs to be." Subban added.
McDavid has just one year left on his eight-year, $100 million contract that he inked in 2017. He can sign an extension on July 1, and there is pressure on the Oilers' brass to convince him to stay by rebuilding the roster around him and Leon Draisaitl.
Although the team was dejected, McDavid had another marvelous postseason, notching 33 points (seven goals, 26 assists) in 22 games. But his gloomy postgame demeanor said it all, as the window to win doesn't remain wide open for long.
Smart money says this offseason could be a fork-in-the-road moment for McDavid and the Oilers.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 19 | 308 ANSWERS P.K. Subban Sends Strong Message to McDavid After Another Heartbreaking Oilers Defeat Should Connor McDavid leave Edmonton when his contract is up after next year? | ||
| Yes | 239 | 77.6 % |
| No | 69 | 22.4 % |
| List of polls | ||