All eyes in Edmonton are on Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers’ front office, with fans wondering what his next contract will mean for the team’s future. It’s not just about money; there’s tension over how every big deal might shake up the team’s ability to compete. If McDavid gets paid along the lines of what’s being discussed, how can the Oilers keep building a championship roster around their stars?
How Will Connor McDavid’s Extension Impact the Edmonton Oilers’ Core?
Right now, there’s talk of the Oilers forming a Core Four: McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, and Darnell Nurse. Edmonton is waiting for the details of McDavid’s new contract, rumored to be massive. Insider Frank Seravalli pegged the average annual value at somewhere between “$16 million and $17.5 million a year for four years.” Fans are curious to see if the team can continue winning as those contracts pile up and the salary cap becomes tighter.
This cap crunch gets tricky with other big contracts like Draisaitl’s and Bouchard’s putting pressure on management. The Oilers haven’t made many headlines lately, but McDavid’s extension is the main focus. So, what can the front office do to keep this team cruising toward a Cup run?
Why Do the Oilers Need More Young and Affordable Players?
Recently, Seravalli weighed in on the Oilers’ road ahead. After back-to-back Stanley Cup disappointments, fans are asking: what’s missing for a true bounce-back? For Seravalli, the answer is clear: Edmonton needs more youth on the ice. “Look, I think the Oilers need that injection of youth. I think they’re in a spot where they need to really turn things over as a team that was a little bit older.” According to the insider, infusing the roster with energy from players like Hobey Baker award winner Ike Howard and Matt Savoie is essential.
Seravalli puts it simply: “…how many more guys like Matt Savoie, like Ike Howard, can they find to plug in their lineup to just begin to turn that roster over a little bit and make it a little bit younger?” For the Oilers, bringing in young talent on entry-level contracts isn’t just a good idea; it’s a strategy to manage cap headaches as stars get new, richer deals. “Leon Draisaitl’s new deal kicks in. Connor McDavid will need a new one. At some point, Stuart Skinner will need a new one. You’ve got the new one kicking in for Evan Bouchard. The math gets hairy. When you’re in that spot, you need guys who are contributing through the entry-level system.”
This situation means that having an older, experienced core is not enough. The future depends on whether the next wave of players can step up. Seravalli said, “Having an older, experienced team that got very close to winning a Stanley Cup, who are the next guys coming…putting them in a position where new guys can begin pulling on the rope.”
Can Ike Howard and Matt Savoie Help the Oilers Win Now?
Young additions like Howard and Savoie could be exactly what’s needed. Howard, a Hobey Baker Award winner, put up 52 points in 37 games with the Spartans in the 2024-25 campaign. Savoie brings prior league experience, having suited up for the Buffalo Sabres and the Oilers.
With the Oilers desperate to restore their reputation after two tough losses, Seravalli’s call for more young, affordable players makes sense for fans watching every contract and lineup change. The stakes are high, and Edmonton needs those fresh faces to help its stars chase the Stanley Cup.
