Wayne Gretzky believes Connor McDavid will stay with the Edmonton Oilers for the long haul.
"I think he's a mainstay in Edmonton," Gretzky told "The Pat McAfee Show" on Wednesday. "He likes it there. The organization is a good organization. They've got a chance every year to win. That's all he wants. I don't see Connor leaving Edmonton."
McDavid is in the first season of a two-year extension he inked last October. He signed for $12.5-million per season, the same average annual value on his previous contract, even though he could've reset the market by making himself the league's highest-paid player.
The six-time Art Ross Trophy winner said at the time that he chose not to take a raise in order to give the Oilers' core "a chance to play this out." However, speculation remains about whether he'll stay in Edmonton beyond next season. McDavid will be eligible to sign an extension July 1, 2027.
McDavid led the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025, but they were eliminated in Round 1 last year. A Stanley Cup ring is the only thing missing from McDavid's NHL resume, but Gretzky is hopeful that won't be the case for long.
"There's always a stigma about winning a Stanley Cup," Gretzky said. "I know him really well. Nobody wants to win a championship worse than he does. Hopefully his time will come. I know it's not from a lack of effort or dedication or love of the sport. And I hope one day he gets that opportunity to lift the Stanley Cup."
McDavid ranks third in NHL history with 1.54 points per game, trailing only Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.
