Connor McDavid addresses Alex Formenton signing as some fans blast his response

Connor McDavid faces criticism from some fans after weighing in on Edmonton's signing of controversial forward Alex Formenton to a one year, $850,000 contract this week.

The 26 year old winger, acquitted of charges stemming from the 2018 World Junior case, had not played in the NHL since the 2021-22 season with the Ottawa Senators before Edmonton brought him back into the fold.

When reporters asked McDavid about the move at the NHL Media Tour, the Oilers captain gave a brief, measured response, saying Formenton had gone through a process, had been transparent through that process, and that the process had led him to this opportunity in Edmonton.

The comments were diplomatic on the surface, but they landed with a thud among a chunk of the fanbase already uneasy about the signing.

Social media exploded almost instantly, with plenty of fans accusing McDavid of dodging the moral weight of the situation entirely.

Some pointed to his past willingness to stay quiet on front office decisions involving Stan Bowman and Mike Babcock, arguing the captain has avoided taking a firm stance when controversy hits Edmonton's locker room.

Formenton addressed his own signing publicly too, expressing gratitude toward the Katz family, Bowman, Jeff Jackson and Babcock for the opportunity, and saying he is excited to make the most of his return to the league.

Formenton reports to training camp with a roster already reshaped by a busy offseason, including new goaltender Frederik Andersen and a coaching change under Babcock.

Whether he can shake off years away from the league and earn a bottom six role remains to be seen, but for now, the conversation in Edmonton is less about hockey and more about optics, with McDavid stuck in the middle.

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