The Oilers and Connor McDavid Agree to a Two-Year Extension
The Edmonton Oilers announced they have reached an agreement with Connor McDavid on a two-year, $25 million contract extension, with an average annual value of $12.5 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not surprising that McDavid agreed to a two-year contract. Recent reports indicated he was interested in a short-term deal with the Oilers.
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)
What’s surprising is how much money McDavid left on the table. He’ll be earning the same AAV as his current contract, which is well below the league-leading $17 million AAV that Kirill Kaprizov will be getting from the Minnesota Wild starting next season.
McDavid is the NHL’s top player in the prime of his career. It was assumed he’d get over $18 million annually, though a few observers suggested he might accept $14.5 million, which would’ve put him slightly ahead of teammate Leon Draisaitl’s $14 million AAV.
By maintaining the same AAV through 2027-28, McDavid is putting the Oilers ahead of himself. He could’ve sought the league maximum, which for next season would’ve been $20.8 million. Instead, he is taking far less than market value to give the Oilers the cap flexibility necessary to maintain a Stanley Cup contender throughout his new deal.
This contract will expire in 2028, when McDavid will be 31 and still in his prime. He’ll likely seek a substantial raise at that time, especially if he’s still among the league’s superstars at that time.
By then, the Oilers could be in a better position to pay him more money if they’re still a Cup contender by that point. If not, he’ll get it on the open market with another contender.
What a day as a fan of the team. McDavid 2 years at a ridiculous savings of 12.5 and Walman at 7×7.
Getting walman is key cause he too in this crazy market could have likely gotten more had he hit market where all dmen are seeming worth 9M
I am some excited not to mention relieved
Good on McDavid and great for the Oilers. Hope he stays healthy because he is just incredible to watch.
McDavid is following Gretz and Jordan, who also played for less $$ so that mgmt can build teams around them. Class act.
As Ray Bark posted in the Rumor Thread “No pressure Mr. Bowman.”
In other words – as I read that – 2 years to do something to win a cup Mr. Bowman, or this circus starts all over again, and I won’t be signing a huge discount again.
George, not sure why he dragged Kaprizov into conversation. Different cap situations with 2 teams and McDavid could still end up with more money over next 8 years.
As a Flames fan I have to tip my hat to him. What a class act by McDavid.But that also has a lot attached to it. It means the Oiler window is open for another 2 years, so now its on Bowman.
George O.
Agree in regards to Bowman but I take it even one step further as a statement to his teammates as well in more than just one way.
Anyway – its a fine day to be a fan.
Bill Guerin must be pulling his hair out right now as well as the NHLPA. What a bargaining chip McDavid’s contract would have been. Nothing but respect for McDavid, a lead by example guy that wants to win the cup for Edmonton.
I will be the first to admit that I was wrong I thought he was thinking of getting out of Edmonton. I definitely didn’t think he would take less then Leon,
It is odd to me that he has a modified no trade clause in this contract, as if to make it easier to move him if he decides in 2 years he isn’t staying.
This is a lot of pressure on Bowman to put a solid team around him and bring the cup back to Canada.