Connor McDavid, one of the NHL’s biggest stars, gave an update on how he’s approaching contract extension negotiations with the Edmonton Oilers, with the league’s training camps set to begin next month.
McDavid made the comments during a press conference at Hockey Canada’s National Teams Orientation Camp in Calgary while seated next to Sam Reinhart and Sidney Crosby.
“Not even a softball Olympic question before we’re going to start,” McDavid told reporters sarcastically. “I said at the end of June I had every intention to take my time with it, and I still feel the same way. I have every intention to win in Edmonton. That’s my only focus – maybe next to winning a gold medal with Canada – but it’s my intention to win there.”
The 28-year-old centerman is entering the final season of his current eight-year deal and is owed $12.5 million. He helped lead the Oilers to back-to-back Western Conference titles and Stanley Cup Finals appearances, but ultimately, they fell in both championship series to the Florida Panthers.
McDavid finished the 2024-25 campaign with 100 points across 67 games, his lowest total since the Covid-shortened 2019-20 season (97 points). Since signing his most recent contract in 2018, McDavid has led the NHL in points (826) and assists (552).
McDavid, however, is in no rush to get an extension across the finish line ahead of puck drop for the 2025-26 season. He told reporters he wants to “take my time, go through it, obviously, with my family, my agent, everybody involved.” McDavid added that he’s focused on hockey and doesn’t want to bring unwanted attention to the Oilers locker room — even if that means waiting to sign a new deal after this year.
“I would say all options are on the table, really,” McDavid admitted. “As I said, we’re going through it. I don’t have a preference either way. I want the group to be as focused, dialed in, and ready to roll come day one as possible, and we don’t need any distractions.”
McDavid’s favorite linemate, Leon Draisaitl, signed his own extension last September. The eight-year, $112 million deal is the richest in team history and made the German star the highest-paid player by average annual value in the salary cap era.
“I’d be lying if I said I don’t want him [in Edmonton] forever. I want him by my side. I’m sure he thinks the same way, but at the end of the day, I’m sure he’s going to do what’s best for him,” Draisaitl told reporters shortly after signing his own deal.
