Connor McDavid sent the hockey world into a frenzy with one tweet Thursday afternoon, issuing a challenge to Auston Matthews.
McDavid sent a publicly viewable tweet to Matthews, asking him to shoot the puck off the crossbar and in, without further explanation. So what does the Edmonton Oilers superstar mean by this?
.@AM34 crossbar and in, let’s see it
— Connor McDavid (@cmcdavid97) January 2, 2025
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Nick Alberga of The Leafs Nation believes it’s an indication that McDavid will join Matthews in Toronto — and we can certainly buy into that notion!
McDavid is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026-27 and while he’s never displayed any public intention of leaving the Oilers, the Maple Leafs will always be linked as an attractive destination — McDavid starred for the Greater Toronto Hockey League’s Toronto Marlboros before earning exceptional status into the Ontario Hockey League, and a homecoming may be too good to pass up — just ask John Tavares!
Future teammates 🫡 https://t.co/Vf2UYzTQZd
— Nick Alberga (@thegoldenmuzzy) January 2, 2025
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This could be a McDonald’s ad in the making. McDonald’s Canada tweeted ‘something’s about to change the game forever’ with the hockey stick emoji attached, and putting two of the NHL’s best players, who both captain a Canadian franchise seems like a no-brainer, for a franchise that was regularly involved in the marketing of star hockey players in the 1990s and 2000s.
something’s about to change the game forever 🏒
— McDonald’s 🇨🇦 (@McDonaldsCanada) January 2, 2025
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Matthews, for what it’s worth, has not responded to McDavid’s challenge. Toronto’s captain is currently fighting through an upper-body injury that has kept him out of the lineup for two different stints, missing nine games in November. Matthews will miss his sixth consecutive game when the Maple Leafs square off against the New York Islanders on Thursday, after aggravating the ailment during a December 20 game against the Buffalo Sabres.
What does McDavid’s challenge to Matthews mean to you? It certainly seems open to interpretation and we’d love to hear what it may mean, as it remains an open secret for the time being.