MONTREAL, QC - MAY 12: Look on Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid 97 during the Edmonton Oilers versus the Montreal Canadiens game on May 12, 2021, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA MAY 12 Oilers at Canadiens Icon210512085
MONTREAL, QC - MAY 12: Look on Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid 97 during the Edmonton Oilers versus the Montreal Canadiens game on May 12, 2021, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA MAY 12 Oilers at Canadiens Icon210512085
Todd Fedoruk, the Philadelphia Flyers' radio commentator and a former Flyers forward, raised a question this week as he brought Connor McDavid into the conversation.
When he was speaking on 97.5 The Fanatic on July 17, Fedoruk said there were talks to connect the Edmonton Oilers captain to Philadelphia. As the Flyers continue building around young winger Matvei Michkov, the front office already shows a willingness to make aggressive moves this offseason.
"If he doesn't have a good start to the season, he's going to be a player that's going to be calling teams," said Fedoruk. "His agent is going to be looking for him to go places. There's rumors that Philadelphia is a place that Connor McDavid wants to go now. It's just what can you get out of him?"
MONTREAL, QC - MAY 12: Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid 97 waits for a face-off during the Edmonton Oilers versus the Montreal Canadiens game on May 12, 2021, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA MAY 12 Oilers at Canadiens Icon210512076
MONTREAL, QC - MAY 12: Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid 97 waits for a face-off during the Edmonton Oilers versus the Montreal Canadiens game on May 12, 2021, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA MAY 12 Oilers at Canadiens Icon210512076
While Fedoruk linked McDavid with Philadelphia in the 97.5 The Fanatic podcast, he is not scheduled to become a free agent this summer as he signed a two-year, $25 million contract extension with Edmonton. The deal is through the 2027-28 season, with a $12.5 million average annual value.
Fedoruk positioned McDavid as the Flyers' ideal No. 1 centre, citing their pursuit of Leo Carlsson. He also raised questions about pursuing McDavid, including his age and how much longer he can keep playing.
Any path to Philadelphia will only happen through a trade rather than free agency. Fedoruk's comments about the ongoing speculation, which has lasted for more than a year, given the Flyers' cap space and young core, remain speculation.
Connor McDavid's historic resume makes his value undeniable
McDavid was drafted first overall by Edmonton in 2015 and is still one of the most productive players in the NHL.
He won the 2025-26 Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer for the sixth time in his career. McDavid closed that season with 138 points on 48 goals and 90 assists over 82 games, per ESPN.
His contribution to the game stayed consistent throughout his 11-year career. And includes 1,220 points in 794 regular-season games.
The Oilers captain has already collected three Hart Trophies as the NHL's most valuable player. He also has five Ted Lindsay Awards as the league's most outstanding player, as voted by his peers.
Along with a Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's top goal-scorer in 2022-23, the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2024 is also added to that list despite Edmonton's loss in that year's Stanley Cup Final.
Edmonton reached the Final in back-to-back seasons in 2024 and 2025, but lost both times to the Florida Panthers. This left McDavid still searching for his first championship as his current contract moves toward its end.
In case McDavid fails to break the championship drought in Edmonton, will he try starting things afresh in Philadelphia? Let us know in the comments.
Read more at NHL Fan Central!
Written by
Aadhya Nalla
Edited by
Soheli Tarafdar