The Edmonton Oilers stumbled out of the gate with a shootout loss to the Flames in their season opener. However, the franchise rebounded quickly, dismantling the Canucks 3-1 on Saturday to secure its first win of the campaign.
However, deploying Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the same line remains an unsustainable long-term strategy. Rumors suggest that the cap space McDavid created with his team-friendly extension could provide the Oilers with the chance to pursue two NHL stars.
What Could the Oilers Do With Connor McDavid’s Cap Savings?
When McDavid signed his contract extension with the Oilers last Monday, the terms surprised the hockey world. For a player of his caliber to re-sign at his current $12.5 million AAV defied conventional market expectations.
While some analysts praised McDavid for prioritizing team flexibility, others believe he strategically left cap space for Edmonton to build a championship roster around him. Insider Jeff Marek has already identified two potential targets the Oilers could pursue with their newfound financial freedom.
During the Oct. 9 episode of “Morning Cuppa Hockey,” Marek discussed the situation alongside former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton and Colby Cohen. Marek argued that the league views Edmonton as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. With McDavid leaving significant cap space available, Marek questioned which players would capitalize on the opportunity to join the Oilers.
“This team’s got more than a legitimate shot at not just getting there but finally winning this thing, especially now that you look at it like this: the question becomes, who’s going to be the player that takes Connor’s money?” he told Cohen and Hutton.
Marek identified Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe and Colorado Avalanche winger Martin Necas as the most likely candidates. Kempe’s contract negotiations with the Kings have stalled since the start of the offseason.
Insiders report a significant gap remains between Kempe and the Kings regarding contract terms. Meanwhile, Colorado faces cap constraints with star D-man Cale Makar becoming a free agent in 2027, creating pressure to preserve financial flexibility for his extension.
Marek continued, “I really wonder if you’re Adrian Kempe, one of the only players that could, you know, keep up with skating with Connor McDavid. How do you not look at this and say, You know, the market is shrinking? Everybody’s going to have money, including the Edmonton Oilers.”
The insider believes that Kempe wants to win the Stanley Cup, and with the Kings’ current struggles with form, the Oilers may prove to be the platform for that. Meanwhile, for the Avalanche, it is only a matter of time before they will be forced to let go of Necas.
If the Oilers want to add offensive depth, they could have opportunities at the trade deadline or next summer.
