McDavid, Caufield Speak Out On American Players Leaving Canadian Markets

Four American-born stars have asked their way out of Canadian markets over the past year. 

This week, two of the league's most prominent names, one Canadian, one American, addressed the trend, and neither is convinced it's as simple as it looks.

Connor McDavid fielded the question during the NHL's Player Media Tour in Las Vegas. "I don't know if it's Americans wanting to leave Canada or if it's simply just they don't see the opportunity to win on that specific team," McDavid said, declining to name names. 

He pointed to Edmonton's own recent signings of Americans Ryan Shea and Trent Frederic as a counterpoint. "Americans still want to play in Canada. At least, that's the sense that I get. They want to play for teams where they see a future. I don't know anyone's situation or opinions how they feel about their specific team," he said. "I hope it's not because they don't want to be in Canada. Canada and the U.S. has had a great relationship for years and years and years, and I hope that continues for a long time."

Caufield Says He's Not Going Anywhere

Cole Caufield offered the clearest answer yet from inside one of those markets. 

Speaking to Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas on the 32 Thoughts podcast, the Montreal Canadiens winger made clear he doesn't see himself following Brady Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes, and Connor Hellebuyck out the door. 

"Only speaking for myself, I think being in Montreal, if you love hockey and have a passion for it, there's no better place or city to teach you lessons through the good and bad," Caufield said. "It's a city where you work and you earn things. Just every night at the Bell Centre is sweet. There's no better feeling than being out there... I really love to be there. Top to bottom, staff-wise, player-wise, it's just really exciting. I love it there, and it's tough to see myself somewhere else."

Caufield, 25, is signed through 2031 at a $7.85 million cap hit that already looks like a bargain after a 51-goal, career-best season that helped carry Montreal to the Eastern Conference Final.

McDavid's Own Situation Adds Context

McDavid's comments carried some extra weight given his own contract history. 

He's entering the first season of a two-year extension he signed at a team-friendly $12.5 million cap hit specifically to give Edmonton more room to build around him, even as Cale Makar ($20.4 million), Macklin Celebrini ($18.8 million), Leo Carlsson ($18 million), and Connor Bedard ($15 million) have all signed deals that dwarf his own since. 

By 2027-28, at least ten NHL players are projected to out-earn him annually.

Rather than sound bitter about it, McDavid spoke on the shifting money and leverage as a positive for players league-wide. 

"That's a lot of money that they all signed for, and deservedly so," McDavid said. "It's been a long time coming for our league, to see some of those numbers. Good on those guys for pushing for that. You're slowly starting to see some player ownership in terms of things... the landscape has definitely changed. It's been fun to watch."