Oilers easily say no.

In any case, I feel like any trade with McDavid is almost always going to be a lose-lose. Edmonton would be losing the best player in the deal, and integrating the quantity they are going to get in return is going to be a mess. The team acquiring McDavid is going to have to gut their depth, and such a big shakeup is going to cause a lot of problems.

While certainly giving up the best player, let’s not pretend the return isn’t decent, the offer isn’t insulting.

No thanks.

I agree that this sort of deal would be lose-lose. Although a McDavid trade isn't going to happen in the next 4 years (if ever), there would have to be a marquee piece coming back plus prospects plus picks, rather than a collection of prospects & picks. Like this:

TB - Brayden Point ++
COL - Cale Makar ++
MIN - Kaprizov ++
TOR - Matthews ++

etc.

An 8-for-1 deal with no outstanding pieces doesn't get the Oilers to answer the phone.

Sure, but it seems that McDavid would only be traded if Edmonton were rebuilding. In that case, why would you want to get a top player in his prime back? You'd want top picks and prospects.

I think most people justify McDavid trades with the thinking that he'll ask for a trade, not that the team decides to rebuild. Why would a team with McDavid on it randomly decide to rebuild by trading the best player in the world? He's the guy you build around. But if he asks for a trade or refuses to re-sign, then you trade him for a package that includes established talent and continue being a contender.