Monday was all about Connor McDavid as the Edmonton Oilers captain put pen to paper on a two-year deal that sent shockwaves across the NHL.
Most insiders expected the NHL’s most lethal forward to give the Oilers some type of discount. However, no one pictured McDavid leaving nearly $100 million on the table by signing an extension that pays him a measly $12.5 million a year over the next two years.
With the contract signed, sealed, and delivered, Stan Bowman was asked for his thoughts on the stunning deal, but the Oilers GM refused to take credit for getting the deal over the line.
Oilers GM Gets Brutally Honest On Connor McDavid’s New Contract
Speaking on the average annual value of McDavid’s new contract, GM Stan Bowman told reporters that the number didn’t come from the Oilers’ camp.
“That wasn’t our pitch. It’s what Connor wanted,” Bowman told reporters.
“This is a very exciting day for our organization & for the fans in Edmonton & our team.”#Oilers GM Stan Bowman addresses the media following the announcements of Connor McDavid’s two-year contract extension & Jake Walman’s seven-year deal.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/NcfGXXGTHR
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 6, 2025
“Connor’s commitment to our team and our city is surpassed only by his singular focus on bringing a Stanley Cup back to fans of the Edmonton Oilers,” Bowman added in a statement.
While McDavid could have demanded Kirill Kaprizov money ($17 million AAV), most insiders and analysts expected him to settle for somewhere in the $15.5-16.5M range. Instead, McDavid decided to take a page straight out of the Sidney Crosby playbook, giving the Oilers plenty to think about come Thanksgiving.
With the drama and distraction of an extension behind them, the Oilers will now focus on the one thing that’s eluded them in the McDavid era – the Stanley Cup.
Last year would have been a stellar year for a majority of NHL players, but McDavid admitted that it felt short by his own lofty standards. Over 67 games in the regular season in 2024-25, McDavid tallied 100 points and 26 goals. His 1.52 points per game average is currently good enough for third in league history.
With a new contract that curiously carries the same AAV as his previous deal, McDavid has sent Oilers brass a clear message. The ball is now in GM Bowman’s court.
The salary cap next year will reportedly come in at $104 million, though insider Elliotte Friedman believes that number could very well rise to $107 million. If it stays at $104M, McDavid will account for roughly 12 percent of the cap, leaving the Oilers plenty of room to make some moves on the margins.
With Jake Walman also locked up with a $49M ($7M AAV) extension, the Oilers are on track to have just over $80M dedicated to next year’s cap.
A major bone of contention with this Oilers side has been the goaltending. And while management has made it clear that Stuart Skinner retains the faith of the team, things could look very different at the trade deadline.
All things considered, McDavid’s bargain-basement deal gives the Oilers room to breathe, but it also allows their captain to take time to assess things a year from now, while also retaining the option to take full advantage of a ballooning salary cap in the near future.