For the second straight season, Connor McDavid has come up short of his ultimate goal. Widely regarded as the best player in the NHL, the 28-year-old has accomplished some incredible feats during the first 10 years of his career.
Connor McDavid Is Entering The Final Season Of 8-Year Contract
But a championship has eluded him and the Edmonton Oilers so far, despite winning back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals series.
"If I feel that there's a good window to win here over and over again, then signing is no problem."
Connor McDavid on his future with the Oilers as he approaches the final year of his contract. pic.twitter.com/00QHhWmQbe
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 19, 2025
Frustrations have certainly grown. McDavid and his team have run into a buzz saw in the Florida Panthers in each of the past two seasons, who have kept his from checking off the final box of what is already an illustrious career. The three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner was sullen in his interviews following the team’s Game 6 loss on Tuesday, causing speculation that he could eventually want out of Edmonton.
He won’t have to wait all that long if that is indeed his wish.
Oilers Have Some Hefty Paydays On The Horizon
Connor McDavid just wrapped up the ninth year of what is a ten-year deal originally worth $100 million. That means that the 2025-26 NHL season is a contract year for the league’s top player, and he is set to become a free agent at this time next year.
It took only a few hours after his team’s elimination for the media to begin speculating about whether he’ll be an Oiler for life, and where he might end up if he does in fact leave Edmonton.
Connor McDavid didn’t mince words when criticizing the Oilers’ approach in the #StanleyCup Final. pic.twitter.com/AvLWfOJzXa
— JayOnSC (@JayOnSC) June 18, 2025
When asked about upcoming negotiations and his immediate future with the team, McDavid had the following to say in his end-of-season press conference:
“It’s only been a couple days since the season ended. Take some time to regroup, talk to my agent a little bit and family and all that. Make some decisions whenever that time comes. There’s no rush. No rush on anything like that.”
If they do come to a long-term agreement with their superstar player, the Oilers will be facing some hefty paydays in the near future. Leon Draisaitl signed an extension last offseason that will give him the highest salary cap hit in the NHL next year, and Evan Bouchard is in line for a massive contract extension of his own.
The league’s salary cap is set to increase in the coming years, which will help Edmonton’s situation. But the Oilers and Connor McDavid will have some evaluations to do this coming summer as they begin negotiations with one another.
