Contract negotiations between Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers all summer long kept fans on edge. When the superstar center finally signed his two-year extension on October 6, the relief across Edmonton was palpable.
However, when the contract details emerged, fans were stunned. Rather than commanding a massive raise, McDavid stayed at his current $12.5 million AAV, leaving a ton of money on the table. Now, his agent has revealed the reasoning behind the team-friendly deal.
What’s the Reason Behind Connor McDavid’s Shocking $25M Extension?
When McDavid finally re-signed with the Oilers last Monday, fans expected a record-breaking deal. Instead, the captain stayed at his current $12.5 million AAV, with a two-year, $25 million contract extension.
The terms stunned the hockey world. While some viewed it as McDavid giving the Oilers cap flexibility to build a championship roster, others saw it as a classic hometown discount. Now, his agent Judd Moldaver has revealed the strategy behind the shocking number.
Moldaver, senior VP of Wasserman Hockey, joined Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas on the “32 Thoughts Podcast” to discuss the deal. He praised McDavid’s methodical approach, noting they’d been carefully weighing options since early summer.
“I thought it was important that Connor was able to take his time with things. And well, his intentions, as he said publicly and privately, have always been one thing, and that’s to win the Stanley Cup,” Moldaver told Friedman and Bukauskas.
He added that McDavid loves the fans, the organization, and his teammates. However, he clarified that despite his clear intentions to stay, the timing remained entirely on the captain’s terms.
Their strategy allowed McDavid to be patient and methodical, weighing every aspect before committing. When Friedman asked how they arrived at $12.5 million, Moldaver said: “It wasn’t a negotiation; it was a process.”
The agent continued, “They respected Connor’s process and how he was going to think about what was going to make him feel comfortable, and when and what.” Moldaver explained that the entire exercise centered on finding the optimal balance.
“Exploring everything from a conceptual standpoint was trying to find the right math and the right term that most optimally expressed Connor’s ability to win as an Oiler, as well as maintaining and protecting his individual value,” he said.
Moldaver also noted they analyzed Edmonton’s current roster and future trajectory before settling on terms. McDavid wanted to give the Oilers a legitimate chance to compete for championships annually, not just for one or two seasons.
Ultimately, Moldaver said the deal simply felt right to McDavid, and that was enough.
