“Connor McDavid was not at the Grand Prix in Montreal. He did not do any house shopping. His wife was there. She was here for an event to which she had been invited. Period,” Renaud Lavoie said in a recent article, shooting down the reports that surfaced suggesting Edmonton Oilers fans should be worried their captain might dart for greener pastures.

A story online picked up steam when it was reported that McDavid was looking around in Montreal for a house. The reality seems to be that he was never there at all.

Lavoie added, “We’ll take that with a grain of salt. We can safely say the following: If Connor McDavid ever gets fed up, where will he go? To a team that has no chance of winning the Stanley Cup or to a team that has a very good chance of doing so?”

To that extent is the only connection between McDavid and the Canadiens: they are a team he might look at if he determines that he needs a fresh start. Then again, he’ll look at several teams, not just the Habs. “Montreal is becoming a preferred destination, in a way,” he added. “[…] That would be nice, yes, but there’s still a long way to go.”

It’s easy to believe reports like this when the offseason doesn’t offer much in the way of storylines to talk about. The Oilers had a disappointing season by their standards and McDavid has been clear about how much he wants to win. Meanwhile, the Canadiens went on an unexpected run in the playoffs, losing in the Eastern Conference Final to the Carolina Hurricanes. It feels like two teams headed in opposite directions, with the Canadiens looking a bit more like a preferred landing spot.

It’s important to remember, though, the Oilers aren’t throwing in the towel; they’re still a strong team, and McDavid has maintained his desire to win in Edmonton. He remains under contract for two more seasons, and the Oilers aren’t about to let him leave without a fight. If he does eventually want out, it will only be after the Oilers have exhausted all other options, and it would be a trade, no sooner than next season’s trade deadline — assuming the Oilers struggle and things look bleak.

If the Canadiens were looking to trade for McDavid, the ask would be incredibly high. Montreal would have to part with several pieces, and the asks would include names like Ivan Demidov, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, and other top stars.

Next: Canadiens, Ivan Demidov Have Mutual Interest in Long-Term Extension