The Edmonton Oilers are still grieving after their 2025 Stanley Cup Final defeat to the Florida Panthers. While the prospect of redemption is enticing, it’s a tougher sell after back-to-back losses on the NHL’s biggest stage. Still, the Oilers are hoping to extend one of Connor McDavid’s star teammates—who wants to stay in town, but will come with a hefty price tag.
One might think last year’s defeat would have prepared McDavid and the Oilers for this season’s loss. But that’s not the case. Their recent collapse against Florida may actually linger even longer than the one in 2024.
Now, the Oilers must change the tune, however. As Edmonton gears up for a summer of intense negotiations, it must put on their best face and convince its players of staying in Alberta. The organization might be in a bit of pickle, though. The Oilers are entering win-now territory as the championship windows begins to close and the prospects pool is ranked among the lowest in the NHL.
As long as McDavid is in town, the Oilers will remain a menace to the rest of the league. But that alone is no guarantee—after all, the best player in the world has yet to sign an extension as he enters a contract year in the 2025–26 campaign. In the words of GM Stan Bowman, this is a franchise-defining moment for Edmonton.
Evan Bouchard #2 of the Edmonton Oilers looks on against the Seattle Kraken during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena on October 02, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.
Footing the bill
Edmonton is saving money for when the time comes to extend McDavid, and in the meantime, blueliner Evan Bouchard has reportedly presented his desired contract terms to the front office.
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“It sounds like Evan Bouchard has told the Edmonton Oilers his ask is 8 years with an average annual value of $10M,” according to the 2 Mutts Hockey Podcast. “Edmonton knows that an arbitrator will give Bouchard $10M this summer so they would like to get a deal done as soon as possible.”
Top-dollar
While signing such a deal wouldn’t make Bouchard the highest-earning defenseman in the NHL, it would put him among the top of the rankings. The 25-year-old blueliner would sit behind only three active defenders in the NHL: Erik Karlsson ($11.5M AAV), Drew Doughty, and Rasmus Dahlin (both with $10M AAV), per Spotrac.
Bouchard is coming off a sensational production in his last two NHL seasons. He finished the 2023-24 campaign with 82 points (18G, 64A) and followed it up with 67 tallies (14G, 53A) in the past season.
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Moreover, Bouchard has risen to the occasion during the Oilers’ runs to the Stanley Cup Final—recording 32 points in the 2024 postseason and 23 more in this past playoff run.
