The Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid could get ready to drop a major announcement on fans soon. The club could be inking McDavid to a new contract extension in the coming weeks. But it won’t be for the terms fans would expect.
According to an X post published by the 2 Mutts Podcast on August 10, the Oilers could be signing McDavid before the start of training camp. Specifically, the announcement could come following the conclusion of the Team Canada orientation camp to be held in Calgary from August 26 to 28.
The orientation camp will close out the summer as the Canadian squad prepares for the upcoming 2026 Milano-Cortina Games. Connor McDavid was among the first six names confirmed on Team Canada’s roster.
Once the orientation camp is over, players will be heading back to their respective clubs for the beginning of the NHL preseason.
That’s when the two sides could put pen to paper.
But as the 2 Mutts Podcast reports, Connor McDavid’s extension could land between two to four years. That’s a number that should alarm Oilers fans. The hope that McDavid could re-up for a max-term, eight-year deal is unlikely to happen.
Of course, it shouldn’t be a surprise to hear that McDavid could sign a short-term deal. But then again, it’s no less alarming. A short-term deal could signal that McDavid isn’t totally committed to the Oilers’ direction at this point.
That situation will put intense pressure on the Oilers’ management to keep the team competitive. Otherwise, Connor McDavid could pressure the club to move him at some point down the road.
Connor McDavid to become NHL’s highest-paid player
Connor McDavid is on track to become the NHL’s highest-paid player. According to the 2 Mutts Podcast, McDavid’s extension could range between $16 and $17.5 million AAV. That’s a massive jump from Leon Draisaitl’s current league-leading deal of $14 million AAV.
We are hearing that the contract extension for Connor McDavid will most likely happen after the Team Canada Orientation Camp which is August 26th to the 28th in Calgary.
— 2 Mutts Hockey Podcast (@2MuttsHockeyPod) August 10, 2025
The plan is to announce the contract extension before the Captain Skates begin & Training Camp starts.
We… https://t.co/pDuAyHaSIP
While the Oilers are willing to pay McDavid whatever he wants, the club must also be careful to avoid over-stretching the team’s salary cap situation. Both Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard’s new contracts will kick in. That situation could limit how much the Oilers can add throughout the season.
With Connor McDavid pressuring the Oilers to remain competitive, the club can spare little precious cap space on follies and bad contracts.
Of course, the jump in the salary cap ceiling next season will offset McDavid’s next contract. Nevertheless, the club can ill afford to max out the team’s remaining cap space.
Fans could see some more cap-clearing moves, particularly as the trade deadline approaches. Yes, that’s months away. But the season moves at a breakneck speed. An exciting season is certainly on the horizon in Oil Country.