Experts Debate on How Panthers Could Trade for Connor McDavid
Experts Debate on How Panthers Could Trade for Connor McDavid originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Florida Panthers just won their second straight Stanley Cup—and that didn't stop TSN's "Overdrive" panel of analysts from tossing around a blockbuster hypothetical involving Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid.
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With the Oilers falling in the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive year to Florida, the trio of Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill, and Jamie McLennan debated what kind of package it would take for the Panthers to land the league's best player in McDavid.
The hypothetical scenario, presented by Hayes as "pulling a Kevin Durant," sparked an interesting debate between the three panelists.
"(Center Sasha) Barkov, (defenseman Seth) Jones, and (goaltender Sergei) Bobrovsky," O'Neill said.
"But that's what — that's how idiotic this conversation is," Jamie McLennan interrupted.
"I love the way you dream this up, and then you yell at us for it," O'Neill replied.
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Hayes pushed back, suggesting the idea isn't that far-fetched when factoring in McDavid's looming contract status and the Panthers' current championship window.
"It's just—it's gotta—it's a two-way street," Hayes said. "I mean, Florida is a great team. It's a hypothetical, but I don't think that's too much...
"McDavid could be the next Durant. Maybe he's Kevin Durant. Although Durant signed as a free agent."
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) celebrates after a goal in the third period of game one of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the LA Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
For context, Durant decided to sign with the Golden State Warriors as a free agent once it became obvious he wouldn't win the title with the only team he'd played for before, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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Durant went on to win back-to-back championships in his first two seasons with the Warriors.
McLennan emphasized that any deal of this magnitude would need to touch all areas of the roster, which might not make sense for the Panthers as they'd dismantle what they've spent years building.
'I think if we're talking that silly, that's how silly the trade would look like,' McLennan said. 'It would have to be a goalie, a defenseman, and a forward. And it'd be their three best ones.'
McDavid, who has one year left on his eight-year, $100 million contract, will become eligible to sign an extension starting July 1. If he and the Oilers can reach an agreement before July 1, 2026, McDavid will then become an unrestricted free agent.
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Related: Connor McDavid Makes Clear Statement About Oilers After Stanley Cup Loss
Related: Connor McDavid Doesn't Hesitate to Point Out Oilers' Mistake in Stanley Cup Loss
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
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