The hockey world is abuzz as Connor McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers' captain and arguably the NHL's most outstanding player, approaches the final year of his eight-year, $100 million contract. With his contract expiring at the end of the 2025-26 season, the potential for McDavid to become an unrestricted free agent has sparked widespread discussion, even reaching the upper echelons of Canadian politics.
Amidst a Liberal Party caucus meeting in Edmonton, Prime Minister Mark Carney jokingly addressed the situation, acknowledging the concerns surrounding McDavid's future with the Oilers. "Let's face it, we are in a crisis," Carney quipped. "The global trading system has been upended. Supply chains have been destroyed. McDavid is unsigned".
Carney continued lightheartedly, "This is not a transition. This is a rupture". He then alluded to the Oilers' other key players, stating, "Remember what you have: Draisaitl, Hyman, Nugent-Hopkins. We've got to draw on those strengths. We've got to draw on those values. And, Connor, if there's anything that we can do in the upcoming budget... so we can bring that Cup back to Canada".
McDavid's current contract, signed in July 2017, carries an average annual value of $12.5 million. Since being drafted first overall by the Oilers in 2015, McDavid has amassed an impressive 361 goals and 1,082 points in 712 regular-season games. He has also added 150 points in 96 playoff games. His individual accolades include five Art Ross Trophies, three Hart Trophies, and a Conn Smythe Trophy. However, the Stanley Cup has remained elusive, with the Oilers falling short in the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back seasons.
Despite the external chatter, McDavid has remained focused on the present, stating his commitment to Edmonton and his belief in the team's chances of competing for the Stanley Cup. However, he has also emphasized the importance of taking his time with the contract negotiation process. "When you're trying to plan the next three, four, seven, nine years of your life, you don't just dream it up in one day, you take your time, talk it over, think about it some more, talk it over again," McDavid said. He added, "It's not something that I take lightly; it's not something that my family takes lightly. I've put everything I have into my career, just like everybody here. You only get one chance to do it and to do it right and that leads to taking your time with it and that's where it's at".
McDavid has made it clear that his priority is not solely financial gain. "It's not about trying to make the most amount of money... It's about winning," McDavid stated. He and his team are focused on finding a "razor's edge" with Oilers CEO Jeff Jackson to reach a deal that works for his family's security and allows Edmonton to maintain a successful team.
Oilers CEO Jeff Jackson has expressed confidence in re-signing McDavid. "Connor's been an Oiler for 10 years. He's done a lot of playing in Edmonton and living in Edmonton. He's been very public about his desire to win and that's sort of driving his decision-making," Jackson said.
As McDavid approaches unrestricted free agency, the pressure is on the Oilers to demonstrate their commitment to building a Stanley Cup-caliber team around him. With key players like Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins already signed to long-term contracts, the Oilers' ability to create a contending team remains to be seen. The Oilers open the 2025-26 regular season at home against the Calgary Flames on October 8.
