EDMONTON — Connor McDavid’s first skate of training camp with the Oilers on Thursday brought plenty of questions — mostly about hockey.
He fielded queries on new linemates Andrew Mangiapane and David Tomasek, the sting of losing in the Stanley Cup Final, and where his game goes from here. But the topic he couldn’t avoid was the one looming over everything: his contract extension.
McDavid is entering the final season of the eight-year deal he signed as a teenager. Though he hasn’t given much insight into his thought process, the sense around the team is calm — there’s little worry among players, coaches, or management that he won’t eventually re-sign.
Asked how often he thinks about it, McDavid replied:
“Not really much to report. Obviously, we think about it. We talk about it, gauge where we’re at and what we’re feeling. Nothing’s really changed as of now. Just excited to be here at camp and get rolling.”
Predicting the terms of his next deal is tough, but the prevailing belief is that McDavid may prefer a shorter commitment. That would let him reassess Edmonton’s championship outlook in the near future rather than committing deep into his career.
Given his stature as the league’s top player, McDavid has all the leverage. He could sign for the maximum salary percentage for up to eight years, and no one would dispute his value. But a shorter contract brings complications for the Oilers: it fuels speculation he might leave, makes roster planning more difficult, and could deter other stars from signing in Edmonton.
For McDavid, the benefits are obvious. He avoids being locked in if the Oilers’ window closes, and he can continue to increase his salary as the cap climbs. For the Oilers, however, simply keeping him in the fold is a win. A two- or three-year deal — especially if McDavid accepts a slight discount — could even give management more flexibility to fill out the roster while chasing a title.
The cap is projected to rise from $95.5 million this season to $113.5 million in 2027-28, but new goalie contracts and McDavid’s inevitable raise will eat into that space. That reality makes it vital for Edmonton to develop younger, cheaper players — a focus already seen with recent acquisitions and expanded player development staff.
The truth is simple: the longer McDavid stays, the better for the Oilers. And the sooner he signs, the quicker everyone can shift their attention fully back to hockey.
For now, though, his future remains the biggest question hanging over a team still searching for its championship breakthrough.
