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.
I always thought he would re-sign in Edmonton, it just made sense if you took McDavid at his word, which I did, as that’s the kind of guy he seems to be.
His best bud, and great player Draisaitl, is here long term. His wife has 2 businesses in Edmonton, one of which just opened not long ago. And they are a very good team with as good a chance as anyone outside of Florida to win a cup.
I though he would take less to stay, but not that much less, kind of a wow for me.
Agree 1Oilerfan on Walman, good player who is adept playing his off side. Not every D-man is. I think he starts the year injured though. Chance for Regula to make a good impression, folks around here think he played well enough to make the team out of camp. Having a 6’4″ RD who moves well for his size sure makes their D core more balanced. Hope it works out for him and the Oil. Kinda exactly what they could use back there? Word is mgt thinks he gets claimed if they waive him.
What they need is all of Skinner’s hard work in the offseason on getting lighter and more explosive to pay off, and maybe they can get back to the finals and win the darn thing already.
But that’s a long, long road to travel. We’ll see.
Psshhhaaww. If he really wanted to win a cup he would have signed for 9.7 mil.
I see what you’re doing their chrisms!
Mcdavid has put all the pressure on the shoulders of Oilers management.
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.
True, Slick62, but there is a message in the fact that he signed for just the 2 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.
He’ll have full no-movement protection in each year of the deal.
Connor at 12. 5 is obviously a steal but I disagree with Walman at 7 in my opinion it’s an over pay. If Oilers keep this band together they will not win cup getting older and not better. Florida without Barkov is advantage Edmonton but if Barkov back its not close Oilers need a major upgrade in goal or a difference maker on D. Winning the west will be harder as Dallas and Colorado will be tougher outs.