Connor McDavid hasn’t started contract talks with the Edmonton Oilers yet, but General Manager Stan Bowman says it’s only a matter of time. The captain’s extension could reshape Edmonton’s championship window, but nobody’s rushing the process.
Speaking on CHED 880’s Oilers Now on Tuesday, Bowman shared that while discussions haven’t turned formal, communication with McDavid’s camp has remained steady. The Oilers captain became eligible to sign an extension on July 1 but has opted to pause before diving into negotiations.
Why Is Connor McDavid Taking Time Before Extension Talks Begin With Edmonton?
“(McDavid is) a huge part of everything we do here,” Edmonton Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman said on CHED 880’s “Oilers New.” “I don’t have a timeline update.”
“I don’t have a timeline update, but I do expect to have some conversations with them soon and hopefully get that wrapped up.”@EdmontonOilers General Manager Stan Bowman talks Connor McDavid extension with @Bob_Stauffer on Oilers Now.
Powered by @LegacyHCYeg ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/WQHanGyRGb
— Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer (@OilersNow) July 29, 2025
The Oilers GM said the team is fully supporting that choice. After a Stanley Cup Final appearance, hockey superstar Connor McDavid wants space to process everything before committing to his future.
“We haven’t had any of those types of detailed conversations yet; I think we’re very encouraged by all the conversations I’ve had to date,” Bowman said. “I do expect to have some conversations with them soon and hopefully get that wrapped up.”
Oilers GM Stan Bowman: Re Connor McDavid extension: We haven’t had any of those types of detailed conversations yet; I think we’re very encouraged by all the conversations I’ve had to date; I do expect to have some conversations with them soon – Oilers Now (7/29)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 31, 2025
The Oilers aren’t rushing. According to Bowman, he’s maintained contact with Judd Moldaver, McDavid’s agent, since the season ended. The message from both sides has been consistent: there’s no pressure, just patience.
“I’ve tried to give Connor his space, and I think that it’s important,” he said. “A lot of this is respecting the athlete and their timeline.”
How Does McDavid’s Contract Situation Impact the Oilers’ Championship Window?
McDavid, 28, emphasized a similar stance in June, expressing that he needed time to reset again after Edmonton’s second-straight loss in the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers. The emotional toll of falling short twice has shaped his approach to these negotiations.
He’s entering the last season of an eight-year, $100 million contract. If no extension is signed, he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Given his dominance of 33 points in 22 playoff games and another 100 in the regular season, his next deal could top $17 million annually, especially with the NHL’s salary cap set to rise.
“I think that the one thing I’ve enjoyed in getting to know Connor is just his motivation and his leadership with our group,” Bowman shared. “He’s such an amazing player, but we know that. But when you get a chance to see him and watch the way that he operates amongst the team that no one else gets to see.”
RELATED: Insider Addresses Possibility of Connor McDavid ‘Lighting a Fire’ Under Oilers Management
Despite outside speculation about McDavid’s future, Bowman insists the Oilers aren’t panicked. The franchise understands that patience could now secure their superstar for years.
“When the time comes, the time comes,” he said, signaling trust in how McDavid is handling the process.
Meanwhile, Edmonton continues to strengthen its roster around its captain. The Oilers recently acquired Andrew Mangiapane, extended Evan Bouchard, and added promising youth, hoping to sustain their contender status while McDavid weighs his options.
For now, all signs suggest both sides are in sync, even if the clock is quietly ticking toward what could be the most important contract extension in franchise history.
