Crisis averted Oilers fans. Star centre Connor McDavid has agreed to a 2 year, $25M contract extension with the club on Monday.
McDavid, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent following this season, put pen to paper, signing a deal worth $12.5M annually. The contract will give Edmonton ample room to help build a championship roster around the 28 year old, as he left a sizeable amount of money on the table to get the deal done.
Saying he took a “hometown discount” would be putting things mildly, after teammate Leon Draisaitl inked an 8 year extension worth $14M per season back in 2024. Kirill Kaprizov also just finished signing an 8 year deal worth $17M per season, which McDavid could have easily surpassed if he went on the open market.
By getting a deal done with McDavid prior to the season, it also puts all the focus back on the ice for a team that’s made it to back-to-back Stanley Cup finals the last two years. Already the offseason discussion about McDavid’s future had hit a fever pitch amongst hockey fans, with new rumours about the Richmond Hill, ON native’s plans for 2026-27 becoming instant headlines in the sports world.
Edmonton wasted little time in putting their new found cap space to work, inking blue liner Jake Walman to a 7 year, $49M contract extension ($7M AAV).
As things currently stand, Edmonton is flush up against the cap with $834 in space per PuckPedia. However, the team will undoubtedly get creative at the trade deadline to move money around to remain buyers heading into the postseason.
With a new deal in place, it takes some of the pressure off the Oilers management from a media perspective. However, the fact that McDavid only re-upped for 2 years is clear indication that Edmonton needs to win championships, otherwise they risk losing the best player in the world in 2028.
Now entering his 11th season, all spent with the Oilers, McDavid has plenty of individual accolades to his name, but is still searching for his first Stanley Cup out west. With 1,082 points in 712 games, 5x Art Ross trophies, 3 Hart Trophies, and a Conn Smythe to his name already, the 6’1″ forward is a 1st ballot hall of famer already.
But in order for him to begin and end his career with the only franchise he’s ever known, the team will need to win at least 1 championship between now and 2028 to have a realistic shot of retaining McDavid beyond his extension.
Photo: Jenn G. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.