Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid has played a huge role in his team reaching the Stanley Cup Finals for the second season in a row.
His former agent and current Oilers’ CEO, Jeff Jackson, highlighted 97’s importance to the organization in an interview with NHL.com staff writer Mike Zeisberger on Friday, May 30.
Oilers’ CEO Discusses Connor McDavid’s Future
Since being selected first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, McDavid has established himself as one of the greatest players of his generation.
He has won five Art Ross Trophies as the league’s top point scorer, four Ted Lindsay Awards as the most outstanding player as voted by his peers, and has been a four-time NHL First Team All-Star.
He also won his first best-on-best trophy with Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. The Stanley Cup is the biggest accolade missing from his collection.
During the interview, Jackson was vocal about McDavid’s value to the franchise.
“He’s everything to this organization, and he’s everything to the fan base here. He’s beloved, and he gives back a lot. He loves playing here,” Jackson said via NHL.com. “I know that it’s a very comfortable place for him to play. He’s treated very well by ownership, the staff, everyone. And he loves the staff, right through from the athletic trainers to equipment guys to everybody in between.”
McDavid is the leading scorer this postseason with 26 points (six goals, 20 assists) through 16 games, one point ahead of teammate Leon Draisaitl. His clutch performances include a pivotal breakaway goal to seal the Oilers’ Western Conference Final victory over the Dallas Stars.
Will Connor McDavid Return to the Oilers?
The upcoming 2025-26 season is the final year of McDavid’s current eight-year, $100 million contract. All indications point to the Oilers breaking the bank to get him to remain in Edmonton. McDavid will be eligible to sign an extension from July 1; Jackson addressed that point during the interview as well.
“Priority No. 1 would be to talk to Connor and his agents. And ya, it’s on everybody’s radar for sure. But we’re just leaving it for the time being as long as we’re still playing,” the CEO stated.
The Oilers went through a similar scenario last season with star center Leon Draisaitl, and signed him on a new eight-year, $112-million deal in September 2024.
Right now, the Oilers are gearing up for their rematch against the Florida Panthers. The Panthers edged the Oilers in a seven-game thriller last year; McDavid and the rest of the team will be out to avenge that loss. The puck drops for Game 1 of the series at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Wednesday, June 4.
MCDavid wears #97, not 34. Can you not report simple facts? Geez. You credibility rating is about zero right now.
Thanks for the catch!