Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid recently spoke at a press conference days after his team lost the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers for the second consecutive year. Questions about his future, with unrestricted free agency approaching in the summer of 2026 if he doesn`t sign an extension with the Oilers, were frequent.
The Edmonton media probed for any hint of commitment from McDavid towards the organization and the city, but he remained guarded. When asked if he felt a sense of unfinished business with his teammates after coming so close to lifting the Cup, losing in seven games last season and six games this year, McDavid replied:
“This core has been together for a long time and we`ve been building to this moment all along. The work that`s gone on behind the scenes, the conversations, the endless disappointments and some good times along the way, obviously. We`re all in this together, trying to get it over that finish line.”
Then came four words that resonated deeply with the city:
“With that being said,” McDavid continued, “ultimately, I still need to do what`s best for me and my family. That`s who you have to take care of first.”
This marked the first time McDavid had publicly hinted at any potential hesitation regarding his future in Edmonton. He is entering the final year of an eight-year, $100 million contract signed in July 2017. Many expected an extension with the Oilers – likely the most lucrative contract in NHL history – would be imminent once he becomes eligible to sign on July 1. However, McDavid is unlikely to sign without being comfortable with the progress Edmonton makes in strengthening its roster for the upcoming season and beyond.
“I`m not in a rush to make any decision, so I don`t think that there needs to be any timeline,” McDavid stated. “I know people are going to look at July 1 and will be looking to see if there`s anything done. But for me, no, I`m just not in a rush in that way.”
An NHL source indicated that McDavid is currently not committed to staying with the Oilers past next season, but he is also not committed to leaving the team that drafted him first overall in 2015.
“He`s trying to find reasons to stay, not to leave,” the source commented. “But everything`s on the table for Connor right now.”
THE IMPLICATIONS OF MCDAVID NOT RE-SIGNING would be unprecedented in NHL free agency history. Never before has a player of generational talent – with multiple MVP awards and scoring titles – reached unrestricted free agency in his prime.
The closest comparison in North American professional sports might be LeBron James` “The Decision” in 2010. However, given the chants directed at McDavid by Florida fans after their second Cup win over Edmonton, it`s safe to assume McDavid won`t be taking his talents to South Beach.
With winning the Stanley Cup being his priority, the list of potential destinations McDavid might consider is limited. Speculation has linked the Ontario native to a potential return home with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who haven`t won the Cup since 1967; joining former Oilers GM Ken Holland with the Los Angeles Kings; becoming the centerpiece for the New York Rangers alongside Igor Shesterkin; or exploring well-managed franchises like the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, and Tampa Bay Lightning.
McDavid is under contract with Edmonton for the 2025-26 season. This list of potential suitors could evolve depending on their performance during that period.
After Leon Draisaitl signed an eight-year, $112 million contract last summer – keeping him in Edmonton until 2033 – many assumed McDavid`s extension was a formality. Why would Draisaitl commit without some assurance that his close friend and frequent linemate would do the same?
However, sources told ESPN in January that the two signings were independent and that McDavid would make his own decision separate from Draisaitl`s.
Nevertheless, Draisaitl is undoubtedly a factor in McDavid`s decision, as are defenseman Evan Bouchard, forward Zach Hyman, forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and other key players expected to remain in Edmonton for several seasons. As McDavid stated, this core has navigated playoff battles together, fueling a sense of unfinished business in Edmonton.
“We were two games away from winning. Last year, we were two shots away from winning, so the belief is incredibly high in that room,” he commented. “We talked about that all throughout the playoffs, and we do believe that this group can win and will win.”
Despite this strong belief, McDavid wants a clear understanding of the team`s plan for both short-term and long-term success. This is a crucial element in his decision-making process regarding staying in Edmonton.
He seeks clarity on how a team with just over $10 million in cap space, limited draft capital, and the 30th-ranked prospect pool can make the necessary improvements to overcome the championship hurdle and remain competitive. Last summer, the prospect pool was further depleted when forward Dylan Holloway and defenseman Phillip Broberg were lost via offer sheets to the St. Louis Blues.
McDavid acknowledged the shallow prospect pool during his press conference: “It`s not like we have a ton of cap room and we`ve got a long list of highly touted prospects knocking on the door.”
McDavid reiterated, “If I feel that there`s a good window to win here over and over again, then signing is no problem.”
GM Stan Bowman didn`t necessarily view pitching McDavid on the team`s winning window as more critical than meeting his financial demands during negotiations.
“I don`t know if you have to sell one thing any more than another,” he said.
However, Bowman understands that convincing McDavid of Edmonton`s continued commitment to winning is paramount. Upon being hired to replace Holland last summer, Bowman met with McDavid, who conveyed his sole focus was winning the Stanley Cup.
“That was it. We didn`t talk about anything else. This is his singular focus,” Bowman stated.
“I guess it`s my job to connect with Connor and demonstrate that`s what we`re all trying to do. We all have the same objective. I know how passionate he is about winning. It`s what I love about him,” he added. “He`s not just a fantastic hockey player, but he`s a great person, a great leader, and he`s incredibly motivated to do whatever it takes.”
SHOULD MCDAVID ULTIMATELY RE-SIGN with the Oilers, Bowman`s plan could influence the contract length. There`s increasing belief that McDavid might not sign an eight-year extension like Draisaitl, but could explore a shorter deal, possibly three to five years. This would allow him to pursue the “unfinished business” with the current core while reaching UFA status in his early 30s, coinciding with the projected continued rise of the NHL salary cap.
Another factor supporting this possibility is Judd Moldaver, executive vice president at Wasserman and McDavid`s agent. Moldaver was the first NHL agent in the salary cap era to negotiate contracts for superstar clients significantly shorter than the maximum term. He secured deals shorter than eight years for Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews (five years in 2019, four years in 2023) and Columbus Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski (six years in 2021). He could pursue a similar strategy for McDavid.
Matthews held the league`s highest cap hit ($13.25 million average annual value) before Draisaitl`s contract ($14 million AAV) takes effect next season.
McDavid is almost certain to surpass that figure. His next contract, regardless of length, is expected to range between $15.5 million and $19 million per year on a max deal, according to multiple sources. Any average annual value exceeding Draisaitl`s would establish a new NHL record in the salary cap era.
The financial aspect is straightforward. He`s Connor McDavid, a three-time Hart Trophy winner, a Conn Smythe Trophy winner, and a five-time scoring champion. In theory, contract negotiations involve the general manager asking his price and writing the check.
However, McDavid has consistently stated that the opportunity to lift the Stanley Cup is more important than his bank balance.
“Winning would be at the top of the list,” he emphasized. “It`s the most important thing.”
The Oilers are optimistic, believing that after reaching two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, they offer McDavid the best chance to win. They also represent the only NHL home he has ever known.
McDavid and his wife, Lauren Kyle McDavid, own a house in Edmonton`s Parkview area, which was featured by Architectural Digest. Lauren Kyle McDavid recently co-opened the stylish Bar Trove in Edmonton, which includes Trove Living, a retail home furnishings store, on the floor above. Her company, Kyle & Co. Design, is located on the building`s third floor.
Given his history with the team and his life established in the city, the Oilers remain optimistic but patient regarding McDavid`s decision.
“He`s earned the right for us to be respectful of his timing. Certainly we`re eager to meet with him whenever he wants, but we also understand that he just went through a very tough ending to the season,” Bowman said.
Last year, Leon Draisaitl didn`t sign his extension until September 3.
“Timing-wise, Connor`s going to drive that process, but there`s no question he`s a pivotal player on our team for not just what he does on the ice, but his leadership,” Bowman explained. “I`ve had a chance to work with him now and I`ve been just so impressed with things you guys probably don`t see. He`s incredibly important to our group and whenever he`s ready, we`re going to dive into that.”
Towards the end of his news conference, a local reporter asked McDavid for a message to the fans who have supported the team throughout his tenure and were eager for clarity on his future in Edmonton.
“My message to the fans would be to keep being patient and keep believing. They`ve been through a lot, just like our team has. The emotional highs, the lows. I look at what these playoff runs do to my family. It`s hard on them. It`s hard on the fans. It`s hard on everybody. But ultimately when that day comes, it`ll all be worth it,” he said. “These moments are tough now. But when that moment comes, it`ll be worth the wait for sure.”
His message was neither a fervent promise to stay nor a declaration of impending free agency. It was a message that achieving a championship would validate all the past postseason struggles. As the NHL offseason begins, where McDavid will eventually hoist that championship is, for now, uncertain.
