The Edmonton Oilers have signed Connor McDavid to a contract extension for two years, and a $12.5 million AAV that sends shockwaves through the NHL. For fans of the other 31 teams looking to a find way that McDavid could have snuck into their lineup had he hit free agency in 2026, they're out of luck.
And for those whose teams reside in the Pacific Division, it means the Oilers aren't going anywhere anytime soon as McDavid himself confirmed he's sticking around in Alberta. Fans of the Vegas Golden Knights may be cringing the most, as it means Jack Eichel is now the prized free agent in the 2026 class unless he inks a deal to stick around in Las Vegas.
Vegas has arguably been the Oilers' biggest challenger since their inaugural season, and if Eichel were to continue his career elsewhere, the Oilers could have one less rival to worry about. Should the Golden Knights respond and sign Eichel, look for a McDavid-Eichel rivalry to highlight the Pacific Division as we steamroll into the late 2020s.
What Connor McDavid's extension means for the rest of the Pacific
Fans of the Los Angeles Kings will also feel pain. The Kings, who have a losing streak against the Oilers in the playoffs, know that their biggest obstacle will stay put, and they'll need to get clever if they ever want to get the best of McDavid.
The Pacific's lower-level teams, like the Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, and Calgary Flames, will also feel the pain. These are all teams in different stages of their latest rebuilding phases, and with McDavid staying in Edmonton, it just became a lot harder for all four of them to sell their franchises to potential free agents who are chasing a Stanley Cup.
It also extends to other organizations that are building toward the playoffs in the NHL, and they may need to rethink their strategies. McDavid is a draw for players seeking to hoist the Cup, so looking inward and strengthening the prospects pool must be, without a doubt, the No. 1 priority for organizations looking to build a legit contender.
What McDavid's extension means for Oilers fans
In short, the dream of bringing a Cup back to Edmonton is alive and well. While McDavid going unsigned throughout the 2025-26 season and if he ultimately left wouldn't have been a deal-breaker, losing their centerpiece and face of the franchise would have made Edmonton a far less desirable place to play, even with talents like Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Evan Bouchard.
Now with McDavid back in town for at least another two seasons beyond 2025-26, look for the Oilers to do all they can to complete what has been a championship-contending team since McDavid entered his prime. Expect them to, at some point in 2025-26, solve their woes in the net for good, and to put forth their best version yet. And that might just end with McDavid finally hoisting the Stanley Cup.