Connor McDavid’s New Contract: Focus on Winning in Edmonton
Connor McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers’ standout player, recently shared insights about his new two-year, $25 million contract with the franchise that selected him a decade ago. “I said I was committed to winning here, and I really meant that,” McDavid remarked, emphasizing that the two-year duration is significant. It gives him the opportunity to keep chasing his ultimate goal alongside the core players on the team.
Interestingly, as he nears the end of his previous contract, McDavid chose not to negotiate a raise—he’s sticking with the average annual salary he secured from his previous eight-year, $100 million deal that began in the 2018-19 season.
This brief extension allows McDavid and the Oilers to have a few more chances to pursue that elusive Stanley Cup title. “This is a unique situation. We didn’t plan on a long-term contract,” he explained. “Two years makes a lot of sense with those numbers. It allows us to extend our time in Edmonton. Plus, you know, Lenny (his dog) will be just fine with that money,” he joked.
Throughout McDavid’s tenure, the Oilers have yet to secure a championship, despite making the playoffs in seven out of the last ten seasons. They’ve faced the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final during the last two years, but have come up short.
McDavid noted the challenges faced by teams that have been pushing hard for a title in recent years, often trading away first-round picks and prospects, which limits their ability to nurture younger talent. “This two-year window offers us the chance to build something solid here,” he stated.
Interestingly, his new contract, while substantial, doesn’t surpass the record average annual value of $17 million set by Kirill Kaprizov in September. In fact, McDavid’s annual figure is lower than that of his teammate Leon Draisaitl, who earns $14 million—previously a record before Kaprizov’s deal. But, at just 28, McDavid still has several peak seasons ahead of him, and with the NHL salary cap expected to increase, there could be an opportunity for him to secure a lucrative contract in two years.
