After months of uncertainty and suspense, Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers might be closing in on a new deal. It’s the biggest topic in the NHL offseason, and it’s one that every organization has kept a close eye on. Still, it seems all signs indicate McDavid won’t be skipping town just yet.
The Oilers were clear and straightforward with their plan, keeping it short and simple. Regardless of which path they took in the NHL offseason, McDavid’s departure was never an option. If the ship sinks, the captain must go down with it. Still, losing in the Stanley Cup Final—painful as it is—is nowhere close to a shipwreck.
McDavid has seemingly made up his mind: he’s staying in Edmonton. The rest of the league hoped to see him become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025–26 NHL season, but that now looks bleak. And that’s saying something, as it never looked too bright, either.
While McDavid hasn’t engaged in any contract talks with the Oilers since the end of the 2024-25 campaign, reports indicate the two sides are looking eye-to-eye in a key aspect. However, McDavid has yet to make up his mind in one item that could be a deal-breaker.
Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers competes in the Pepsi NHL Obstacle Course during 2024 NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Scotiabank Arena on February 02, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario.
“[McDavid’s extension] could be anywhere from a two-year to an eight-year deal. I don’t think that they’ve ruled out eight,” Frank Seravalli said on Bleacher Report’s Insider Notebook.
see also
NHL News: Connor McDavid’s Oilers reportedly closing in on Patrick Kane’s Red Wings for long-term goaltending solution
Go get it while it’s still there
While reports cast doubts on whether McDavid is eager to sign for a long-term deal in Edmonton, the Oilers’ forward faces a sort of “speak now or forever hold your peace” dilemma.
“By the way, with the new CBA kicking in, this is the last year that you can sign a deal as long as eight years. I don’t know that he’s terribly incentivized to do so. McDavid is going to be a really wealthy man, regardless. Four years might be the sweet spot here,” Seravalli further commented. “As he looks into his crystal ball and sees just how many opportunities this Oilers’ core has to chase that very elusive Stanley Cup.”
Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers poses after defeating the Dallas Stars in Game Five to win the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
700 games into his career
After the 2024-25 NHL season, McDavid has now played in 712 games. The former first overall selection in 2015 has put on out-of-this-world numbers. He met every expectation set on him and went over them by a mile, yet he has failed to hoist the Stanley Cup. For many, that alone leaves McDavid out of the conversation with the greats. Still, whenever he conquers that elusive Cup, his seat will be waiting for him.
see also
Oilers’ Connor McDavid loses another Stanley Cup Final: How many titles had Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby won at his age?
As posted by @GinoHard_ on X, formerly Twitter, McDavid’s numbers through his first 700 NHL outings are even better than those of Sidney Crosby. However, the main difference lies in the postseason success each star has had.
SurveyWho is the best player in the league?
Who is the best player in the league?
already voted 0 people
In his first 700 games, McDavid has recorded 1,059 points, thanks to 358 goals and 701 assists. Moreover, he’s recorded a plus/minus of +150. Meanwhile, Crosby registered 930 points (333 goals and 597 assists) in his first 700 outings, with a +/- of +144.
