Connor McDavid is officially eligible to extend his stay in Edmonton. But there’s no handshake, no press release, just silence for now.
The Oilers captain, under contract through the 2025-26 season, hasn’t started formal negotiations with the team. And according to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, that silence may be deliberate.
Connor McDavid Keeps Oilers Guessing as Contract Clock Ticks
McDavid could be eyeing a shorter-term extension. Rather than locking in for the maximum eight years, there’s speculation he might lean toward a three- or four-year deal instead.
The possible price tag? Somewhere between $16 and $17.5 million per year, though Seravalli stresses those figures are early projections.
A shorter contract, while surprising to some, could give McDavid more control. Flexibility matters, especially for a player who’s come so close to the Cup, only to fall short two years in a row.
“He has so much leverage and control that if he decides after four years or three years or whatever that the Edmonton Oilers aren’t getting it done and he’s not gonna have a chance to win there, well, the best player in the world just raises his hand and says, ‘I want out,’ and they’re gonna have no choice but to make it happen,” he said.
Seravalli discussed the topic on Bleacher Report’s The Notebook, pointing out that a short-term deal wouldn’t necessarily back the Oilers’ front office into a corner. Still, it’s clear that McDavid might want options if Edmonton falters again.
Connor McDavid could sign a shorter term extension with Edmonton rather than the maximum eight years 👀
(w/ @frank_seravalli) pic.twitter.com/i65Clb688A
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) July 29, 2025
“So I don’t think signing a shorter-term deal lights a fire under Edmonton’s arse any quicker than anything else. Just something to keep in mind.”
The approach resembles the one taken by Auston Matthews, who prioritized flexibility over duration in his recent extension. That strategy allows top players to reassess a team’s direction more frequently and pivot if needed.
Star Center’s Future Hinges on Edmonton’s Vision, Not Just Dollars
McDavid isn’t in a rush. According to Seravalli, more formal conversations are likely to begin in early August. The lack of urgency doesn’t mean a deal won’t get done; it just suggests that McDavid’s camp is being strategic.
Frank Seravalli: I’d expect in the first few days of August the Connor McDavid negotiations to get underway – Bleacher Report (7/29)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 29, 2025
He’s still performing at an elite level. This past season, McDavid racked up 100 points in 67 games and added another 33 in the playoffs. The numbers speak for themselves.
But Edmonton’s window isn’t infinite. Back-to-back Stanley Cup Final losses have tested fan patience and possibly McDavid’s, too.
Fueling further speculation is McDavid’s recent time in Newmarket, Ontario, where he’s been skating in summer leagues. Toronto-based outlets have started to connect dots, wondering aloud whether the Maple Leafs could make a serious play for him down the line.
Connor McDavid takes the ice at a beer league game in Newmarket, ON tonight 👀 pic.twitter.com/zyrG3hD2s2
— BarDown (@BarDown) July 17, 2025
It’s not just media noise, either. The Leafs are projected to have over $24 million in cap space next summer. If McDavid decides to wait or walk entirely, that scenario becomes more than a pipe dream.
McDavid remains the face of the Oilers. But as the offseason unfolds, the question isn’t just if he’ll stay, it’s for how long, and under what terms.
