Connor McDavid isn’t just the face of the Edmonton Oilers—he’s the cornerstone of an entire era. Since arriving as a generational talent, his presence has reshaped expectations, both on the ice and on the payroll.
With record-breaking speed and playmaking that dazzles every season, his contract has become as discussed as his stats. In a league with a hard salary cap, every dollar tied to No. 97 is a strategic decision with long-term stakes.
As Edmonton doubles down on its championship window, the question looms: how much is too much for a superstar who defines a franchise? His current deal offers both security and suspense—and hints at what may come next.
What is Connor McDavid’s salary with the Edmonton Oilers?
When Connor McDavid signed his eight-year, $100 million extension with the Edmonton Oilers in July 2017, it was the richest contract in NHL history at the time. With an average annual value (AAV) of $12.5 million, he immediately became one of the league’s highest-paid players.
Connor McDavid reacts after his game winning goal against the Dallas Stars during the second overtime in Game One of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Source: Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The deal was front-loaded with hefty signing bonuses. In the 2024–25 season, for example, he earned $10 million in actual cash—broken down into a $3 million base salary and a $7 million signing bonus, as Spotrac reported.
This salary structure benefits both player and team. He gets financial security early on, while the Oilers maintain flexibility under the league’s hard salary cap. Even as younger stars like Auston Matthews and Nathan MacKinnon have since surpassed his AAV, his value remains unmatched.
As the salary cap increases in the coming years, the perception of his deal is also evolving. What once seemed astronomical is now viewed as a team-friendly bargain for arguably the best player in hockey.
Connor McDavid’s contract: How long will he be with the Oilers?
Connor McDavid’s current contract runs through the end of the 2025–26 NHL season, meaning he’ll become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026, unless the Edmonton Oilers lock him into an extension before that date.
As of July 2025, he enters the final year of his historic contract, and the countdown to potential negotiations has already begun. Under NHL rules, the team can now begin discussing an extension with him
According to reports from The Athletic and Sportskeeda, internal optimism is high, and Edmonton’s front office has publicly stated that re-signing McDavid is their “No. 1 priority”.
The big question isn’t if he will stay—it’s how much his next deal will be worth. NHL analysts predict a short-term extension worth between $16–18 million annually, which would shatter the current cap hit record.
Others speculate he could command up to 20% of the cap, which—given projected increases—could push his salary toward $20 million per season, according to Athlon Sports.
For now, he remains the heartbeat of Edmonton’s championship hopes. And while speculation about Toronto or Florida will always swirl, those close to the player suggest he’s still fully committed to the team that drafted him first overall in 2015.
