NHL rumors: Erik Johnson drops Connor McDavid-Auston Matthews Wild ‘hot take’

Neither the Connor McDavid-led Edmonton Oilers nor the Toronto Maple Leafs had the kind of season that they wanted in 2025-26. The Maple Leafs failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2016, while the Oilers, who struggled with consistency all season, were eliminated in the Western Conference Quarterfinals by the Anaheim Ducks.

Since both clubs’ seasons ended, there has been rampant speculation about the futures of captains Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews. McDavid is under contract with the Oilers through 2027, while Matthews is under contract with the Leafs until 2028. And both organizations have already made major leadership changes, leading many to wonder what could be next.

Former NHL defenseman and current analyst Erik Johnson, while making a guest appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, said that he expects either McDavid or Matthews to ultimately land with the Minnesota Wild in the next three years.

“I think one of Auston Matthews or Connor McDavid will be on the Minnesota Wild in the next three years,” Johnson said via X. “That’s my hot take. I think they’re going to find a way,” he said. “They need a center. That’s Minnesota’s clear Achilles heel. They need a No. 1 center.”

“I think Bill Guerin finds a way to get a Matthews or McDavid in Minnesota to push them over the edge, I really do. That’s my one hot take for the day, boys.”

Recently eliminated from the postseason themselves, Wild GM Bill Guerin implied that he’d leave no stone unturned in trying to bring the Stanley Cup to Minnesota, and already pulled a blockbuster trade earlier in the season for Quinn Hughes. Does he have this kind of trick up his sleeve?

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