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Greg Wyshynski
Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid sat in a information convention days after shedding within the Stanley Cup Closing to the Florida Panthers for the second straight season. He was peppered with questions on his future, with unrestricted free company looming in summer time 2026 if he does not signal an extension with the Oilers.
The Edmonton media was fishing for any signal that McDavid was dedicated to the group and the town, however he wasn’t biting. Somebody requested if he had a way of unfinished enterprise together with his teammates after coming so near elevating the Cup, shedding in seven video games to Florida final season and in six video games this month.
“This core has been collectively for a very long time and we have been constructing to this second all alongside. The work that is gone on behind the scenes, the conversations, the infinite disappointments and a few good occasions alongside the way in which, clearly. We’re all on this collectively, attempting to get it over that end line,” McDavid mentioned.
Then got here the 4 phrases that shook a metropolis to its soul.
“With that being mentioned,” McDavid continued, “in the end, I nonetheless must do what’s finest for me and my household. That is who it’s important to care for first.”
It was the primary time McDavid even hinted at hesitation about his future in Edmonton. He is coming into the ultimate season of an eight-year, $100 million deal signed in July 2017. Many assumed the ink could be drying on an extension with the Oilers — in what is anticipated to be the richest contract in NHL historical past — when he is eligible to signal on July 1. However McDavid is unlikely to signal that extension until he’s snug with the progress Edmonton’s made in bettering its roster for subsequent season and past.
“I am not in a rush to make any determination, so I do not assume that there must be any timeline,” McDavid mentioned. “I do know persons are going to take a look at July 1 and will likely be trying to see if there’s something carried out. However for me, no, I am simply not in a rush in that means.”
An NHL supply mentioned that McDavid is not dedicated, at this level, to staying with the Oilers past subsequent season. However he is additionally not dedicated to shifting on from the group that drafted him first overall in 2015.
“He is looking for causes to remain, to not go away,” the supply mentioned. “However every part’s on the desk for Connor proper now.”
IF MCDAVID DOESN’T RE-SIGN with the Oilers, it might be an unprecedented second within the historical past of NHL free company. By no means earlier than has a generational expertise — with a number of MVP awards and scoring titles to his credit score — reached unrestricted free company in his prime.
There may not be a comparative second in North American skilled sports activities since LeBron James and “The Choice” in 2010 — though given what followers and gamers have been chanting about McDavid after the Panthers’ second Stanley Cup win over Edmonton, one assumes McDavid will not be taking his skills to South Seaside.
With Stanley Cup competition as his purpose, the pool of groups with whom McDavid would contemplate signing is restricted. There’s been hypothesis concerning the Ontario native having a homecoming with the Toronto Maple Leafs, nonetheless in search of their first Stanley Cup since 1967; that he may be part of former Oilers GM Ken Holland with the Los Angeles Kings; that the New York Rangers may make him the king of Broadway whereas easing his goaltending complications with Igor Shesterkin; or that well-maintained franchises just like the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning may make their pitches.
McDavid is dedicated to Edmonton for the 2025-26 season. That listing of potential suitors may change in that span, relying on their very own fortunes.
1:35
Messier: McDavid and Draisaitl are the 2 finest gamers of their era
Mark Messier joins “Get Up” and breaks down the place Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl stack up within the NHL after the Oilers’ additional time win.
After Leon Draisaitl inked an eight-year, $112 million deal final summer time — a contract that may maintain him in Edmonton till 2033 — many assumed McDavid’s extension could be a mere formality. In spite of everything, why would Draisaitl signal with out some indication that his shut good friend and frequent linemate McDavid would do the identical?
However sources advised ESPN in January that one signing was not a harbinger of the opposite, and that McDavid would make his personal determination unbiased of Draisaitl’s.
However make no mistake: Draisaitl is a consider McDavid’s determination. As are defenseman Evan Bouchard, ahead Zach Hyman, ahead Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and each different core participant who theoretically will likely be in Edmonton for the following a number of seasons. As McDavid mentioned, the core has been via playoff battles collectively, and there is a sense of unfinished enterprise for him in Edmonton.
“We have been two video games away from successful. Final 12 months, we have been two pictures away from successful, so the idea is extremely excessive in that room,” he mentioned. “We talked about that every one all through the playoffs, and we do imagine that this group can win and can win.”
However for all that perception, McDavid needs to grasp the plan for the way the group can win within the brief time period and the long run. It is a vital a part of his decision-making course of to stay in Edmonton.
He needs to understand how a group with simply over $10 million in cap house, with out a lot draft capital and the 30th-ranked prospect pool, could make the mandatory strikes to recover from the championship hump and stay aggressive. Final summer time, that pool of younger gamers acquired thinner when ahead Dylan Holloway and defenseman Phillip Broberg have been poached by the St. Louis Blues by way of supply sheets.
McDavid nodded at that skinny prospect pool throughout his press convention. “It is not like we’ve a ton of cap room and we have an extended listing of extremely touted prospects knocking on the door,” he mentioned.
McDavid reiterated: “If I really feel that there is a good window to win right here time and again, then signing isn’t any downside.”
GM Stan Bowman did not essentially agree that pitching McDavid on the Oilers’ window to win was any extra very important than assembly his asking worth throughout negotiations.
“I do not know if it’s important to promote one factor any greater than one other,” he mentioned.
However Bowman is aware of that convincing McDavid of Edmonton’s persevering with dedication to win is paramount. When he was employed to exchange Holland final summer time, Bowman visited with McDavid, who advised him that he needed to win the Stanley Cup.
“That was it. We did not discuss the rest. That is his singular focus,” Bowman mentioned.
“I assume it is my job to attach with Connor and reveal that is what we’re all attempting to do. All of us have the identical goal. I understand how passionate he’s about successful. It is what I really like about him,” he mentioned. “He isn’t only a improbable hockey participant, however he is an excellent particular person, an excellent chief, and he is extremely motivated to do no matter it takes.”
IF MCDAVID ULTIMATELY RE-SIGNS with the Oilers, what he hears from Bowman may decide the size of that contract. There is a rising perception that McDavid might not signal an eight-year extension like Draisaitl, however may discover one thing within the three- to five-year vary. That may permit him to aim to complete the “unfinished enterprise” with the core in Edmonton, whereas reaching UFA standing in his early 30s with the NHL wage cap projected to proceed its record-setting ascent.
One more reason to imagine this might occur is Judd Moldaver, government vp at Wasserman and McDavid’s agent. He was the primary NHL agent within the wage cap period to hunt contracts for celebrity shoppers with considerably lower than most time period. He is gone shorter than eight years on blockbuster extensions for Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews, with a five-year deal in 2019 and a four-year deal signed in 2023, in addition to Columbus Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski (six years, signed in 2021). He may search to do the identical for McDavid.
Matthews had the league’s highest cap hit ($13.25 million common annual worth) earlier than Draisaitl’s contract ($14 million AAV) kicks in subsequent season.
McDavid is all however sure to eclipse that. His subsequent contract — at no matter size it finally ends up being — will vary between $15.5 million and $19 million per 12 months on a max deal, a number of sources indicated to ESPN. Something above Draisaitl’s cap hit would set a brand new NHL document for highest common annual worth within the cap period.
The cash will care for itself. It is Connor McDavid, the man with three Hart trophies as NHL MVP, a Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP and 5 scoring titles. In concept, the contract negotiation with McDavid is basically a normal supervisor asking how a lot he wants, after which writing the verify.
However McDavid has mentioned that the possibility to raise the Stanley Cup is extra vital than his checking account.
“Successful could be on the high of the listing,” he mentioned. “It is a very powerful factor.”
The Oilers are assured that, after two journeys to the Stanley Cup Closing, they provide one of the best shot at successful for McDavid. However in addition they supply the consolation of being the one NHL house he is recognized.
McDavid and his spouse, Lauren Kyle McDavid, have a home within the Parkview space of Edmonton that was featured by Architectural Digest. Kyle McDavid additionally lately helped open the trendy Bar Trove in Edmonton that options Trove Residing, a retail house furnishing retailer on the ground above it. Her firm, Kyle & Co. Design, is situated on the third ground of the constructing.
Given his historical past with the group and his roots within the metropolis, the Oilers are optimistic however affected person with McDavid.
“He is earned the appropriate for us to be respectful of his timing. Actually we’re keen to satisfy with him every time he needs, however we additionally perceive that he simply went via a really powerful ending to the season,” Bowman mentioned.
1:04
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman: Connor McDavid transcends hockey
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman tells Stephen A. Smith that Connor McDavid’s influence transcends the sport of hockey.
Final 12 months, Leon Draisaitl did not signal his extension till Sept. 3.
“Timing-wise, Connor’s going to drive that course of, however there isn’t any query he is a pivotal participant on our group for not simply what he does on the ice, however his management,” Bowman mentioned. “I’ve had an opportunity to work with him now and I have been simply so impressed with stuff you guys in all probability do not see. He is extremely vital to our group and every time he is prepared, we’ll dive into that.”
Close to the tip of his information convention, McDavid was requested by a neighborhood reporter for a message to the followers. Those which have been on this journey with the Oilers throughout his time with the group. Those “eager to see what precisely occurs along with your future right here” in Edmonton, because the questioner put it.
“My message to the followers could be to maintain being affected person and maintain believing. They have been via rather a lot, identical to our group has. The emotional highs, the lows. I take a look at what these playoff runs do to my household. It is onerous on them. It is onerous on the followers. It is onerous on everyone. However in the end when that day comes, it’s going to all be value it,” he mentioned. “These moments are powerful now. However when that second comes, it’s going to be definitely worth the await certain.”
The message wasn’t a passionate dedication to remain in Edmonton nor was it a declaration that his luggage are packed totally free company. The message was {that a} championship will make all of the postseason heartache definitely worth the ache. Because the NHL offseason begins, the place McDavid would possibly ultimately win that championship is, at this second, unsure.