Toronto monitoring Connor McDavid contract situation

As the NHL world waits in anticipation to witness what happens with contract negotiations between Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, the situation has forced NHL front offices to adjust their gameplans. 

Even if the prevailing media sentiment is true that it is more likely than not McDavid extends in Edmonton; the fact there is a realistic timeline exists where Connor leaves is too much to ignore for NHL GMs. 

Teams have to be ready to man their battle stations in case the unthinkable happens and McDavid becomes available. One of those teams that is most closely monitoring the dilemma is none other than Connor's childhood team. 

Which team is locked in on McDavid?

Via insider Pierre LeBrun, the Toronto Maple Leafs are chief amongst the teams who are keeping their options open in the event McDavid hits the 2026 open market. 

Perhaps no team has received more smoke in the hypothetical McDavid sweepstakes than Toronto. Besides the fact McDavid grew up in the Toronto area, the possibility is alluring for a multitude of reasons. The thought of McDavid leading the charge of bringing Lord Stanley back to Toronto for the first time since 1967 is alluring. The potential McDavid-Matthews connection would be Cinema. 

Not to mention for Toronto how a McDavid acquisition would easily replace the top end production lost with the Mitch Marner departure to Vegas. The biggest issue the lineup currently faces is the need for another star in the forward core. McDavid would more than fit the bill. 

In the meantime, Leafs fans will continue to dream about a world where McDavid becomes a Leaf. That is unless Connor extends with the Oilers; we won't know for a while as he plans on heading into the 25-26 season without a new deal.