The Edmonton Oilers will do everything in their power to retain Connor McDavid for many years to come. However, at the moment, the best thing the organization can do is give their captain time to take his mind off. After a long NHL season which concluded on a sour note, the Oilers know better.
While McDavid might not be interested in getting into contractual details right now, he’s serious about staying in Edmonton. The organization in Canada’s Oil Capital is the only place he has ever called home in the NHL. Needless to say, as long as the Oilers give McDavid a shot at the Cup, he will remain committed.
However, the Oilers would only be fooling themselves if they claimed the wait wasn’t making them anxious. The organization has plenty of issues to address, both on and off the ice—but all of them sit beneath McDavid’s extension at the top of the priority pyramid.
Regardless, reports across the NHL now indicate the two parties have yet to sit down and have a serious conversation about the financial aspects of the extension.
Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers warms up during the 2019 SAP NHL All-Star Skills at SAP Center on January 25, 2019 in San Jose, California.
“To my knowledge and understanding, I do not believe the two sides have even gotten to the point yet of trading numbers on the extension,” Frank Seravalli stated on Bleacher Report’s Insider Notebook.
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“I would imagine once those decisions are made it’ll get wrapped up in relatively short order. McDavid says what he wants, the Oilers nod in agreement, and find a way to get pen to paper. Not expecting any hiccups, not expecting any changes.”
Perhaps not long-term
While the Oilers would love to re-sign McDavid for the long-haul—possibly forever—it might not be what the forward is after in his next deal. On that note, Seravalli states the team captain could introduce an unexpected twist on the extension.
“My guess is that it’s not going to be an eight-year deal. It’ll be less than that, probably four years,” Seravalli added.
In control
There’s a downside to having a player as talented as McDavid, and the Oilers are beginning to feel the weight of having such a household name wear their colors. Edmonton has taken a back seat, as the player seems to have the louder voice. Still, that’s a side effect the Oilers are more than willing to live with.
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“McDavid has so much leverage and control. If he decides that the Oilers aren’t getting it done and he’s not going to get a chance to win there, the best player in the world just raises his hand and says ‘I want out’, and the Oilers will have no choice but to make it happen.”
