McDavid’s press conference can’t shut down trade rumours

We all expected it to happen. Right after the Oilers’ playoff elimination at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets on Monday night, we knew the Connor-McDavid-asking-for-a-trade-out-of-Edmonton rumours would emerge. 

The captain had no problem addressing the situation in his end of season press conference, stating that he is focused on a future in Edmonton and is looking forward at what general manager Ken Holland can make happen with the pending free agents. He was abundantly clear when it came to asking a trade out of Edmonton to get a chance elsewhere at the Stanley Cup. This is what he had to say about all of the rumours: 

“That’s not the case at all. We have a great core. We want to see this thing through together.”

While we are sure McDavid spoke from his heart and with honesty, his press conference did not deter fans from believing he will ask the Oilers to move him this summer. 

Especially after Wayne Gretzky announced that he was stepping down as vice chairman of the franchise. The Great One will "be a lead analyst on Turner’s forthcoming premiere studio show after agreeing to a contract that will pay him in the neighborhood of $3 million per season", per the New York Post. 

When the announcement of Gretzky leaving the Oilers was made public, fans use the news to mock McDavid and get the rumours on the trend with some creative tweets. Here are a few: 

However, technically as of now, nothing points to McDavid wanting to leave the Oilers. We should all remember how long it took a great player like Alex Ovechkin to hoist the Stanley Cup and how the Oilers will need to support their captain with important moves this offseason. 

And maybe the Oilers’ move to help McDavid will take over the feed and have fans forget about making jokes on him wanting out of Edmonton. His message to team management was clear today, and while he may want to remain an Oiler, his patience will eventually run out... The Oilers, who were eliminated in the qualifying round by the Chicago Blackhawks last season, have won just one playoff series since reaching the Stanley Cup final in 2006.