Connor McDavid faces another offseason of disappointment. The superstar Edmonton Oilers center came just short of winning his first Stanley Cup for a second straight season, falling in the championship series again to the Florida Panthers.
McDavid now enters an offseason that will see him become eligible for a contract extension on July 1. Given the disappointment he’s faced and the increased scrutiny on the NHL’s top player, McDavid is already taking questions about his future in Edmonton.
“Winning would be at the top of the list,” McDavid responded when asked about extension talks. “Winning – it’s the most important thing. If I feel that there’s a good window to win here, over and over again, then signing is no problem. Yeah, again, it’s only been a couple of days. I’m sure we’ll get into it over the course of the next couple of weeks.
“But again, I’m not in a rush to make any decision. So, I don’t think that there needs to be any timeline. I know people are going to look at that July 1 day and be looking to see if there’s anything done. But for me, I’m just not in a rush that way.”
McDavid has been with the Oilers since they made him the first overall draft selection in the 2015 NHL Draft. Since his debut season, no player has more points than McDavid in the regular season (1,082) or playoffs (150). He has won five Art Ross Trophies, three Hart Trophies, four Ted Lindsay Awards, one Rocket Richard Trophy, and one Conn Smythe Trophy.
The Oilers signed McDavid to an 8-year, $100 million extension ($12.5 million AAV) in 2017, which will expire after next season. He’ll then become an unrestricted free agent if the two parties can’t come to an agreement on a new deal.
“We’re holding this together, trying to get it over the finish line,” McDavid said. “With that being said, ultimately still need to do what’s best for me and my family, and that’s who you have to take care of first.”
If the Oilers get the indication that McDavid wants to look elsewhere, the team will likely need to entertain trade offers before losing him for nothing. Edmonton already has fellow superstar forward Leon Draisaitl signed to the richest contract in the league, an 8-year, $112 million extension signed last September.
Per PuckPedia, the Oilers are set to have $12 million in cap space this summer to make additions and challenge for a Cup again.
