According to reports, the Edmonton Oilers could still reach an agreement with Connor McDavid for a long-term contract, thanks to the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA).
It’s the main topic of conversation in the NHL offseason. McDavid has yet to sign an extension with the Oilers midway through August. Even though chances of him actually becoming available next summer are slim, they are never zero. At least, not as long as Edmonton’s captain remains unsigned through the 2025-26 campaign.
However, all signs indicate both sides are willing to agree on terms. Or perhaps the Oilers have no choice but to accept whatever McDavid’s camp throws their way. Needless to say, Edmonton would love to re-sign McDavid to a lifetime contract. That isn’t possible—nor wise, though. The best the Oilers could do is hand McDavid an eight-year deal, but the captain is seemingly wary of signing such a commitment.
Eight-year contracts are set to become a thing of the past in the NHL. The new CBA caps the maximum length of an extension at seven seasons, so the clock is ticking for Edmonton if it wants to convince McDavid to sign such a deal. Or maybe not so much, as a new report hints the CBA has somewhat of a legal loophole that could come in handy for the Oilers.
Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers looks on before a game against the Florida Panthers in Game Five of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on June 14, 2025 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
“Barring a negotiated change, the newly-agreed-to CBA actually doesn’t take effect until September 2026, meaning there is still plenty of time for teams to sign players to eight-year deals,” The Athletic’s James Mirtle explained.
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NHL News: Connor McDavid extension may require the Oilers to overcome challenging Stanley Cup odds
How can the Oilers benefit?
Although the Oilers hope to reach an agreement with McDavid sooner rather than later, all they care for in the end is keeping the captain around for the long-haul. Allowing the 28-year-old to play on a contract year in the 2025-26 NHL season is far from ideal.
However, as the new CBA is set to begin on September 16, 2026, the Oilers could even wait until next summer for McDavid to make up his mind and sign him to an eight-year contract.
Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers poses for a picture during the 2022 NHL All-Star Skills Competition at T-Mobile Arena on February 04, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Contract dispute
The main concern around McDavid’s future isn’t around the captain’s desire to stay in Edmonton. Instead, is how long does he wish to re-sign. Though better than letting him walk next summer, extending him on a two-year contract does little good for the Oilers. If that happened, this same situation would repeat a couple years later. If Edmonton signs him for the long-term, then the issue is put away.
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Connor McDavid's net worth: How much money does the Edmonton Oilers captain have?
It’s on the Oilers to prove they have a winning formula, or else the best player in the NHL will seek a future somewhere else in the league. The Oilers are well aware that even the slightest inconvenience next season could cost them their franchise player. Thus, it’s best to avoid it all by signing an extension before the puck drops.
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How likely do you think it is that McDavid asks to be traded?
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If this year’s buzz was stressful, the Oilers won’t know what hit them if McDavid actually speaks up and asks to be traded. Or if he simply announces he will become an unrestricted free agent. They haven’t seen nothing yet—nor do they want to, so they must nip the problem in the bud.
