Oilers’ Jeff Jackson sets record straight on rumors surrounding Connor McDavid’s contract amid Stanley Cup Final vs Panthers

The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are meeting in the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight NHL season, with the former vying to avenge last year’s defeat in seven games. While nothing comes close in relevance at the moment in Edmonton, the team CEO of Hockey Operations Jeff Jackson took a moment to address the recent buzz surrounding Connor McDavid‘s contract situation.

The Oilers knew their franchise’s history would change immediately after winning the 2015 NHL lottery Draft, securing the McDavid sweepstakes. Since selecting the Ontarian kid with the 1st overall selection, Edmonton has only confirmed it. McDavid continues to shatter records left to right, chasing Wayne Gretzky and all-time legends, yet he is still missing the one trophy every fan in Alberta’s capital city can’t stop dreaming about since 1990.

There is nothing fans and the staff in Edmonton would like to see more than McDavid hoisting Lord Stanley. After last year’s heartbreak, the hunger for glory has grown even bigger. McDavid is, arguably, the player least expected to switch teams, yet recent rumors have emerged as the 28-year-old’s contract will have just one year left, starting next NHL season.

On that note, many have speculated that McDavid could test free agency if the Oilers fail to win the Stanley Cup by the end of the 2025–26 campaign. Needless to say, nothing could be further from the thinking of Jackson and the rest of the front office.

Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers arrives before Game Five of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on June 18, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida.

“He’s everything to this organization, and he’s everything to the fan base here,” Jackson, who was McDavid’s agent until August 2023, said, via NHL.com. “He’s beloved, and he gives back a lot. He loves playing here. I know that it’s a very comfortable place for him to play. He’s treated very well by ownership, the staff, everyone.”

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July 1st duty

Players with one year remaining on their contracts can be extended up to eight years once the month of July starts, and McDavid will certainly be a top priority in Edmonton, as the organization won’t look to run any risks by playing him on a contract year.

“We’re not into it yet, but I think once the season’s over, if it goes any way, the way it did last year, now they we were fortunate to make it to the Final, then all of a sudden you’re into the end of June, you’re into the draft, you’re into free agency. But yes, priority No. 1 would be to talk to Connor and his agents,” Jackson said about the timeline on extending McDavid’s contract.

“And yeah, it’s on everybody’s radar for sure. But we’re just leaving it for the time being as long as we’re still playing. After that, yeah.”