It was the Connor McDavid show for a few weeks in the offseason as the Edmonton Oilers captain made headlines by signing a team-friendly extension, a two-year, $25 million deal. The contract carries an AAV of $12.5 million, matching his previous cap hit, even though the league’s salary cap is rising and McDavid remains the NHL’s top player.
Now, his agent is offering insight into why McDavid chose to sign on the dotted line without asking for a raise.
Is McDavid Really Okay With Not Getting a Pay Increase? Here’s What His Agent Says
The Oilers are coming off back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final, falling to the Florida Panthers both times, once in seven games and again in six.
With Edmonton so close to winning it all, many viewed McDavid’s extension as a sign that he’s prioritizing a championship over squeezing out every dollar. By keeping his cap hit at $12.5 million, well below his actual market value, he gives the team more flexibility to build a stronger roster around him next year onwards.
Speaking on 100% Hockey, McDavid’s agent Judd Moldaver explained the thinking behind the deal.
“My goal was to achieve the best deal that balanced out his individual value, but also put him in the best place to win as an Oiler,“ Moldaver said. “We didn’t spend a lot of time on the math because, for us, the math was relatively simple to deduce.”
He said that through conversations with GM Stan Bowman and the CEO of Hockey Operations, Jeff Jackson, about their plans, all parties involved eventually got on the same page.
Moldaver added that the term and number came together easily. He said there was a range they discussed behind the scenes, but ultimately McDavid chose the option that balanced personal value with team success.
“I’m proud of the decision he made,” Moldaver said, “It’s a great deal for the team. It’s a great deal for him. Still a transcendent deal for the marketplace, given it’s a two-year deal with a very high AAV, notwithstanding not getting a raise. It fits in the best way possible for him. Right deal, right time.”
However, it appears that settling McDavid’s future has not brought much consistency to this iteration of the team. The Oilers have dropped three of their last four games and sit at 9-9-4, fifth in the Pacific Division.
McDavid, however, continues to lead the way with 32 points in 22 games.
