Connor McDavid has carried the Edmonton Oilers through some of their darkest moments and brightest playoff runs. Now, with just one year left on his deal, the superstar captain holds the franchise’s future in his hands. Will he stay loyal to the team that drafted him first overall, or could Edmonton face the unthinkable, losing the best player in hockey?
Will Connor McDavid Sign a Long-Term Extension With Edmonton?
Fans of the Oilers can be excused if they begin to get uneasy about the future of franchise superstar McDavid, who has only one season remaining on his current contract.
There hasn’t been much reported progress on a new contract, and reports suggest McDavid is more likely to accept a shorter-term deal rather than another long extension like the eight-year contract he signed in 2017.
The Oilers did manage to convince fellow superstar Leon Draisaitl to commit to them on a long-term basis with his eight-year extension signed before the start of the 2024-25 season, while they also re-signed defenseman Evan Bouchard to a four-year extension months ago.
What Did NHL Insider Marc Denis Say About McDavid’s Chances?
During a “Hot or Not” segment on TSN’s SportsCentre, former NHL goaltender and current insider Marc Denis said that while he remains lukewarm on McDavid’s chances of re-signing with the Oilers since it hasn’t happened yet, he still believes a deal will eventually get done.
“Moderately hot on this one,” Denis said. “Obviously, that hasn’t been done yet, and that keeps me a bit more lukewarm, but I’m hot because I do believe that superstars sign with their original team. And the Edmonton Oilers will do everything in their power. As far as I’m concerned, (Oilers general manager) Stan Bowman said it as well. He’s the best player in the game at this point individually, but he’s also their leader. He’s been through thick and thin in Edmonton, which used to be the city of champions.”
How Do Edmonton’s Goaltending Issues Impact McDavid’s Decision?
Denis then included a caveat that could come with McDavid’s next contract regarding Edmonton’s well-known positional weakness – goaltending.
“Now, if only they could get some extra saves,” Denis said with a smile.
Just as it was during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, goaltending remained the main hole in Edmonton’s overall game. While they got strong performances from both Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, both goaltenders failed to deliver when it mattered most. The club appears to be heading into the 2025-26 season with the tandem of Skinner and Pickard, both of whom can become unrestricted free agents next offseason, intact.
