The anticipation is very palpable in Edmonton as the Oilers superstar and captain, Connor McDavid is eligible for a contract extension and has been since July 1st. Fans have long been speculating on if McDavid will stick around or if he will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in 2026.
Many fans of a particular team in Canada -- the Toronto Maple Leafs -- are salivating at the thought of McDavid sprinting home, as he was born and raised just outside of Toronto, Ontario in what is known as the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This would be similar to former Leafs captain John Tavares, who left the New York Islanders to sign with his hometown team.
However, at this stage this seems highly unlikely with many people speculating that McDavid's extension should be signed in the very near future. Prominent hockey account, the 2 Mutts Hockey Podcast posted on their x account rumors that the Oilers star will sign his deal "by or on September 3rd", which was the same date that Leon Draisaitl signed his extension last year.
The latest Oilers rumors
The 2 Mutts account has posted a few other prominent rumors and points of speculation this summer, speaking on the McDavid contract length and the dollar figure amount -- rumors that should have definitely alarmed Oilers fans.
First, they reported that the McDavid deal could come after the conclusion of the Team Canada orientation camp, where the Oilers captain was one of four invited to the camp. They also speculated that the extension may not be for the max term, eight years but actually for only two to four years, instead.
The podcast show also speculated on the potential annual average value (AAV), saying "The conversation on AAV has gone from $16M to around $17.5M from what we’ve been told." This would put McDavid at a very large number. The expectation is that the best player in the sport will sign a landmark contract, there is no doubt. Yet, now the duo has changed their tune.
The latest that the 2 Mutts Podcast is reporting is that the contract will be for three or four years and carry a $16 million AAV. As well, that it will be done by or on the aforementioned September 3rd, 2025 date.
NHL insider and Sportsnet reporter, Elliotte Friedman recently said on his 32 Thoughts Podcast "Team Canada meets next week in Calgary, I expect after Connor McDavid is done there and he goes back up to Edmonton, they will work on getting this done". (via @NHLRumourReport on X)
In summary
So to summarize, the latest news we have is that the McDavid extension will be between two and four years, with an AAV likely falling between $16 million and $17.5 million and that the deal should be completed within the next two weeks.
No matter when or where or how this contract comes through, it is sure to break the hockey world and is sure to set an all-new precedent for star players. Just as he did before when he signed his current deal, at $12.5 million for eight years.