When it comes to contract efficiency, the Edmonton Oilers are in a unique position. On one hand, no other team in the NHL can boast more “A-grade” contracts than them. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, and Jake Walman are all signed to deals that bring tremendous value for their production. Add Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to that mix, and you have a core that delivers elite results at a price far lower than their actual worth.
This combination has fueled Edmonton’s rise to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances. It’s the kind of foundation most franchises dream of, a group of star players in their prime, producing at a level that justifies every dollar and then some. Last year, this balance of value had the Oilers ranked second in the NHL for contract efficiency.
Why the Edmonton Oilers’ $104.8 Million Roster Bet Could Backfire, According to an NHL Analyst
According to analyst Dom Luszczyszyn, there’s a reason Edmonton’s ranking has slipped to eighth this year, and it’s not because their stars suddenly became less valuable. The problem lies in two major contracts that could hurt the team’s long-term flexibility: Darnell Nurse’s eight-year, $74 million deal and Trent Frederic’s eight-year, $30.8 million deal.
Luszczyszyn describes both as “problem contracts” that bring negative long-term value. In simpler terms, these deals could end up costing the Oilers more than the players are likely to deliver over the full length of the contracts. For a team that’s built so well around value, these two stand out like red flags.
DARNELL NURSE CUTS THE DEFICIT TO ONE 👀 pic.twitter.com/IzjQkMFmtB
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 13, 2025
The issue isn’t just the price tag; it’s the commitment. Both deals run for eight years, meaning Edmonton is locked in for the long haul. If production drops, if injuries hit, or if the salary cap becomes tight, these contracts could limit the team’s ability to re-sign key players or add new talent.
Another concern Luszczyszyn highlights is the lack of long-term security for some of Edmonton’s best players compared to other top contenders like Carolina, Florida, and Tampa Bay. While those teams have much of their core locked up for years to come, Edmonton has less term committed to its most important stars. That means more uncertainty down the road and the possibility of facing difficult negotiations sooner than they’d like.
For now, the Oilers remain one of the NHL’s best teams, and their elite core still makes them a serious Stanley Cup threat.
