There are few bigger rivalries in the National Hockey League today than the historical battle between the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames, provincial rivals from Alberta who are also both in the same division.
During Sunday’s rookie game in Calgary between the two teams, the fans in attendance at Scotiabank Saddledome decided to throw a few jabs at the Oilers and their fans regarding the future of team captain Connor McDavid.
Flames Fans Taunted Oilers Fans Over Connor McDavid’s Future In Edmonton
During the third period of the contest and with the Flames in a comfortable 5-4 lead, fans in attendance began a derisive chant towards the Oilers.
This is in reference to the ongoing drama between McDavid and the Oilers and the lack of meaningful progress on a new contract extension.
McDavid’s contract with the club, which he signed in 2017, is about to expire. He’s captained the team to consecutive appearances in the Stanley Cup Final in each of the last two seasons.
Not only have the Oilers fallen short on both occasions, but they’ve also failed to make a badly-needed upgrade with their goaltending. This factor many believe could ultimately lead to McDavid’s departure.
There was speculation that McDavid could sign a new deal with the Oilers shortly after he and other Canadian-born star NHL players gathered in Calgary in late August for Team Canada Orientation Camp in preparation for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, but no such contract emerged.
McDavid himself recently reiterated that he’s not in a rush to sign a new deal.
“When you’re trying to plan the next three, four, seven, nine years of your life, you don’t just dream it up in one day, you take your time, talk it over, think about it some more, talk it over again,” McDavid said.
He added, “It’s not something that I take lightly, and it’s not something that my family takes lightly. I’ve put everything I have into my career, just like everybody here. You only get one chance to do it and to do it right, and that leads to taking your time with it, and that’s where it’s at.”
McDavid and the Oilers are scheduled to begin Training Camp later this week, which will be followed by their first preseason game against the Flames on September 21, 2025. Their regular season opener on October 8, 2025, will see them once again face the Flames.