Connor McDavid's Powerful Message to Fans Clarifies His Future Plans, per NHL Insider Gene Principe

Oilers' Connor McDavid's reassuring message to fans about his desire to win in the city is very reassuring, according to NHL insider Gene Principe.

With Connor McDavid set to sign a contract extension, the Edmonton Oilers captain and the choice about his future that is looming have everyone's attention.

Connor McDavid is entering the final season of his eight-year, $100 million contract, and so far, there are no extension talks reported beyond a little preliminary conversation about where the team will be going in the distant future.

Rumors persist about the potential for McDavid to try free agency in 2026. But longtime NHL insider Gene Principe offered a more positive prognosis for Oilers fans on a recent visit to the Spittin' Chiclets podcast.

In Gene Principe's view, McDavid has already dropped the hint of what he plans on doing now that it's the offseason.

Even if he did not go on to say as much, Principe said something that McDavid did that spoke volumes more than any quote provided in his year-end media scrums on the record.

'You know, I'm really confident,' Principe said about McDavid potentially signing an extension with the Oilers. 'You know, one of the great questions that he answered was his message to the fans. He spoke of how difficult it's been, but how enjoyable it's been. And he said, 'You know, stick with us, because for all of us, it's going to pay off.''

'To me, that was kind of better than, you know, 'I love you,'' Principe said. 'To me, that was, 'I'm saying to you and to everybody, stick with it. We got this. We're going to get this, continue to be patient and continue to love us, and I promise you we'll give you the love that you want with the Stanley Cup.''