Oilers’ McDavid won’t rush contract extension, says winning is top priority

Oilers captain Connor McDavid talks to media for the final player interviews of the 2024/25 NHL season.

Connor McDavid knows Edmonton fans are anxiously watching the calendar.

The Oilers captain still plans to take his time before deciding his future.

Widely considered the best player in the world, McDavid is entering the final season of an eight-year, US$100-million contract next season. He becomes eligible to sign an extension on July 1.

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“I’m sure we’ll get into it over the course of the next couple of weeks, but I’m not in a rush,” McDavid told reporters after the Oilers’ exit meetings Thursday, two days after losing in the Stanley Cup final. “I don’t think that there needs to be any timeline.

“I know people are going to look at that July 1 day and be looking to see if there’s anything done. But for me, I’m just not in a rush that way.”

The Oilers fell in six games to a deep and gritty Panthers team, losing to Cup-champion Florida in the final for the second consecutive year.

McDavid’s top priority when considering a contract extension is simple: winning.

“It’s the most important thing,” he said. “If I feel that there’s a good window to win here, over and over again, then signing is no problem.”

The 28-year-old joined the Oilers in 2015 after being drafted first overall. He arrived after nine dark, playoff-less years in Edmonton, and has gradually helped lead the Oilers to the brink of a championship.

While Edmonton lost in six games this year, the Oilers pushed the Panthers to seven in 2024, falling 2-1 in a tight final game after erasing a 3-0 series deficit.

McDavid described last year’s defeat as a “heartbreak.” This year’s loss was “more frustrating.”

“Of course, there’s unfinished business here,” McDavid said. “This core has been together for a long time, and we’ve been building to this moment all along. The work that’s going on behind the scenes, the conversations, the endless disappointments — and some good times along the way as well. We’re all in this together, trying to get it over that finish line.

“With that being said, ultimately, we still need to do what’s best for me and my family, and that’s who I have to take care of first.”

The three-time Hart Trophy winner as league MVP produced 26 goals and 74 assists in 67 games this past season. He then piled up 33 points in 22 playoff contests, tying fellow Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl for the playoff scoring lead.

McDavid and Draisaitl form one of the league’s most dangerous duos.

Draisaitl, in the same contract situation as McDavid last year, waited until September to sign an eight-year, $112-million pact kicking in next season.

The German forward hopes his running mate follows suit.

“Do I want him here forever? Yes, of course,” Draisaitl said. “I think everybody does.

“I haven’t really talked to Connor about it yet. There comes a time where we talk about it, but there’s nothing that I can tell you right now … That’s his situation and he will do what’s best for him and his family.”

The Oilers are an older team, but Draisaitl believes the core is in its prime and still has “a lot of juice left” for the coming seasons.

McDavid said the improvements must come from within the already established group.

“It’s on every person in that room and that organization to dust themselves off, come back and be better,” he said. “Everyone’s got to find a new level. It’s not like we have a ton of cap room and we got a long list of highly touted prospects knocking on the door.”

“The team is certainly positioned to be really good again next year,” he added. “Really, really good again next year. Beyond that, I don’t know or care.”

Bringing back Bouchard

Re-signing No. 1 defenceman Evan Bouchard might be a more immediate matter for the Oilers. Bouchard will become a restricted free agent when his two-year, $7.8-million bridge deal expires July 1.

The 25-year-old is in line for a big raise after back-to-back high-production playoff runs for a total of 55 points in 47 games.

“We tried to not talk about it too much come playoff time, focus on hockey,” he said. “I love being here, want to be here and yeah, we’ll see where talks go in the next few days.”

Broken hand for Nuge

While discussing his future, McDavid revealed that forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins played through a broken hand.

“Wasn’t easy to watch him go through that, but pretty amazing what he was able to do,” McDavid said.

Nugent-Hopkins had six goals and 14 assists in 22 playoff games. The Oilers also lost forward Zach Hyman to a wrist injury before the final, and defenceman Mattias Ekholm only played the final seven playoff games due to an undisclosed ailment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2025.