Heading into the 2025 offseason, the Edmonton Oilers had just one mission: lock up Connor McDavid before his contract expired next year. But with training camp already underway, the chances of getting a deal done before opening night look slim.
McDavid remains the Oilers’ most crucial player, and losing him would be devastating for the franchise. While his comments about his future have been vague, one teammate made his feelings crystal clear about what a McDavid departure would mean for him.
Leon Draisaitl Opens Up on the Thought of Connor McDavid Leaving the Oilers
Since being selected by the Oilers in the 2014 and 2015 NHL Drafts, respectively, Draisaitl and McDavid have been the cornerstones of the franchise’s rise to prominence. But on the latest episode of the “32 Thoughts Podcast,” Draisaitl shared his thoughts on McDavid’s ongoing contract uncertainty.
Joining hosts Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas, Draisaitl said, “I don’t really know what is going on between them or where they’re at or where they’re not at. I don’t know. I wouldn’t say I’m nervous about it. I obviously hope that it gets done.”
The forward believes that everyone’s process is different and everyone has different timelines for making decisions. Still, while Draisaitl made it clear that he wants to see McDavid re-sign, he also acknowledged that he would respect his teammate’s decision if he chooses not to.
“If it doesn’t, then that’s his right and his decision as well,” he told Friedman and Bukauskas. “So yeah, I think there are a lot of factors that play into it.”
When Friedman suggested that McDavid’s delay in re-signing could signal some uncertainty, Draisaitl replied, “I don’t know if you’re wrong to think that. Maybe they’re just not in as much of a rush, right? Like maybe Connor doesn’t care about people?”
Draisaitl noted that there’s always the sense McDavid doesn’t want to create a distraction or let contract talks spill over into the season. He added that even if negotiations do extend into the year, it won’t be an issue, as it ultimately comes down to the two sides working through the process.
Draisaitl continued, “I’m still very confident and hope this gets done soon. I don’t think [it’s a distraction] at all. If anything, the media is going to make it a distraction. But not within our room.” According to him, they’ve got one job where they will be excited to start up again and create the dynamic within our team.
“He’s [McDavid] obviously going to be a part of that. I haven’t really talked about it with him at all. It’s his decision; it’s his family’s decision, whatever they want to do,” Draisaitl said. He believes in giving McDavid space, and they’re going to figure it out.
