Training camps are opening around the National Hockey League (NHL), and while most teams are focused on line combinations and rookie battles, one storyline towers above the rest: Connor McDavid’s next contract.
For weeks, Edmonton Oilers fans assumed something might get done quickly once McDavid became eligible to sign on July 1. Instead, here we are in mid-September, and there’s still no extension. The best player in the world is under contract for now, but the longer this lingers, the louder the questions become.
What is holding up the McDavid extension?
This doesn’t feel like a classic negotiation over dollars and cents. Everyone knows McDavid is going to get whatever number he wants. This is bigger than money.
- Roster construction – Does McDavid trust that the Oilers will continue to surround him with the depth needed to win? The team is talented but not perfect, and Edmonton has already seen how thin margins can derail a playoff run.
- Cap growth – The NHL salary cap is projected to climb sharply over the next decade. Locking in now could leave McDavid underpaid by percentage standards, especially when other stars push for 16–18% of the cap. Waiting could maximize his leverage.
- Term – Will he follow the Auston Matthews route with a shorter four-year deal, or even two years, giving him flexibility to pivot later? Or does he go long-term and commit his prime to Edmonton?
- Family and comfort – McDavid himself said it’s a family decision. He has built a life in Edmonton, but this is about more than hockey.
Chasing the missing piece
McDavid’s résumé already guarantees him a place in the Hall of Fame. Multiple Hart Trophies, Art Ross titles, Ted Lindsay Awards — he has dominated the NHL like few ever have. But there’s one thing missing: the Stanley Cup.
That’s the focus now. McDavid doesn’t want to be remembered as the best player of his generation without a championship. His legacy needs that silver trophy. And it doesn’t stop there — he’s also eyeing gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Winning both would cement his career as complete.
For McDavid, the conversation has shifted. It’s not about squeezing out every last dollar. It’s about chasing what he hasn’t won yet.
What it means for the Oilers
General manager Stan Bowman has made it clear the team will stay patient. They’re not about to pressure McDavid — because the reality is simple: when McDavid and his agent Judd Moldaver are ready, Edmonton will say yes.
But if the season starts without an extension, the questions will grow louder. Every loss, every stumble, will spark debate. Not because McDavid is leaving tomorrow, but because uncertainty always creates noise.
How long should the contract be for?
- Short-term (2 years): Maximum flexibility, keeps pressure on the Oilers to remain contenders.
- Bridge (4 years): Mirrors Matthews’ deal, takes McDavid through more of his prime while leaving room for another huge payday.
- Long-term (6–8 years): Classic franchise cornerstone contract, but carries the risk of being locked into a lower cap percentage as the ceiling keeps rising.
The reality
Right now, McDavid seems comfortable waiting. He’s said he’s fine playing without an extension. That in itself is unusual for a superstar of his magnitude — and it tells you he’s weighing more than just dollars.
At the end of the day, only one person knows the timeline: Connor McDavid. And until he decides, the Oilers and their fans are stuck in the waiting game.
The NHL has already seen McDavid conquer every individual trophy. Now the countdown begins to see if he can lift the Cup, add Olympic gold, and complete the legacy that only one player of his caliber deserves.