Flyers

Sounds Like Connor McDavid Needs Something New, like a New Era of Orange

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Jun 20th, 2025 · 9:47 AM EDT

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Connor McDavid on the day after the Oilers lost their second straight Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers:

"We're holding this together, trying to get it over the finish line. With that being said, ultimately still need to do what's best for me and my family, and that's who you have to take care of first."

Connor McDavid discusses 'unfinished business' with this Oilers team. pic.twitter.com/0HDtCT83ab

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 19, 2025

To set the scene, McDavid has one more year on the $100 million deal he signed with Edmonton ahead of the 2018 season. It’s $12.5 million in 2025-26, then he becomes a free agent for his age 30 season.

As a conservative guess, there is probably a 0.001% chance that Connor McDavid would ever sign with the Flyers. But what we do know is that he seems a little miffed in Edmonton. A little disillusioned up there. Does that team ever get over the hump, or do they once again run into the buzz saw that is the Florida Panthers? The goaltending situation let them down in the postseason and half the team will be out of contract at the same time that McDavid is.

So my pitiful pitch to McDavid’s camp is that the Oilers are a team trending downward and the Flyers are a team trending upward, mostly because they are in the basement and can’t go any lower. But think about it – one more rebuilding year then you’ve got a group of Matty Michkov and some hungry youngsters ready to rock and roll, the salary cap is clean and McDavid can command any dollar amount he wants here, you’ve got a rabid Flyers fan base that needs a shot in the arm, and signing in Philly would be a breath of fresh air compared to the stale Alberta oxygen he is currently consuming. We need a BIG signing in order to get Flyered up.

Plus, South Jersey is a great place to raise a family. You have a wonderful practice facility in bucolic Voorhees. And, oh, by the way, the Flyers are going to have a brand-new stadium soon, and you will get to play in that palatial venue instead of boring Rogers Place, which is already 10 years old. McDavid definitely doesn’t want to sign with Toronto, because we know he’s not going to win a Cup there. But if Connor is looking for a new era, he should consider the New Era of Orange. Let’s refine our pitch and get it to his people.