Insider: Connor McDavid 'Quietly' Wearing Oilers Unofficial Assistant GM Hat

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers center, skates during warmup

Connor McDavid signed his shocking team-friendly deal, which is great news for the Edmonton Oilers in the short term. But at the same time, he sent up a warning to the Oilers front office, and set the clock ticking: Three years to win at least one Stanley Cup, or else.

To that end, according to insider David Pagnotta, speaking on the DFO Rundown, McDavid has donned the proverbial assistant general manager's hat, trying his best to upgrade the Oilers roster in the near future.

They're going to be aggressively creative... You've got a strong nucleus, but they're missing pieces...
I think—I know—that Connor McDavid, on the back end, has been exploring some options that may add to the creativity of the Oilers' roster construction over the next couple of seasons.
I can tell you with full certainty, that Connor McDavid, over the off-season, was fishing... quietly fishing, to see what options might be available to him and the Oilers down the road.

Oilers & McDavid looking for a top-six star addition

And we're not talking about adding around the fringes, with some bottom-six forward or depth defenseman, or a third goalie. Pagnotta says a legit top-six star is on McDavid's (and thus, the Oilers') radar.

It may not happen this season because of their restraints with the salary cap. But I fully expect them to go out next offseason and bring in a legitimate top-six threat that complements that roster...ideally to play with Connor. I know they've been exploring, I can tell you that with all the certainty I've got.

To that end, Daily Faceoff insider Irfaan Gaffar adds that recruitment by players at this coming February's Winter Olympics will be something very intriguing to watch.

It might also behoove us to check out what pending UFAs are out there, either for next summer, or the one after, to begin considering just who McDavid (and therefore his GM Stan Bowman) may be targeting.

Edmonton has finished as runners-up in the Stanley Cup Finals in each of the last two seasons, and McJesus is desperate to reach the promised land, any way he can.