The Edmonton Oilers are hoping to sign Connor McDavid to a new contract. McDavid is the best player in the world. And he has led the Oilers to two consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances. However, he is a free agent at the end of the 2025-26 season.
McDavid has won a lot during his time in Edmonton. But the Oilers are certainly facing pressure to win while he’s still on the roster. McDavid is already a future Hall of Fame talent. Having nothing to show for his time with the team would be a bit of an embarrassment at this point.
Edmonton — and especially its fans — hoped the deal would be done by now. However, the 2025-26 regular season begins in around one month’s time. McDavid still does not have a deal that would keep him in Edmonton beyond this season.
For the first time, McDavid has addressed his contract talks publicly. He mentioned not wanting to be a distraction to his teammates this upcoming season. Furthermore, he feels good about where everything is. As for the timing, though, that remains unclear.
“All options are on the table,” the Oilers superstar said at the Team Canada Men’s Olympic Orientation Camp, via Sportnet.
Oilers’ Connor McDavid Not Rushing Contract Talks
Leila Devlin/Getty ImagesConnor McDavid is not stressing over his contract status with the Edmonton Oilers.
There is a lot of nervous energy around this discussion. Oilers fans do not want to see their captain wear another sweater. With an increasing salary cap and lack of Stanley Cup success, though, it’s easy to imagine him leaving town.
Still, McDavid remains adamant that this is no indication of his feelings toward the team. In fact, he repeatedly stated that he wanted to win with the Oilers. He just wants to be patient with this process.
“I said at the end of June I had every intention to take my time with it and I still feel the same way,” McDavid said, via Sportsnet. “I’ll take my time and go through everything. I have every intention to win in Edmonton. It’s my only focus, maybe next to winning a gold medal with Canada.
“I’ll take my time going through it with my family, my agent and everybody involved. We’re going through it slowly.”
Contract Timing Does Not Concern McDavid
The Oilers captain was directly asked whether he wanted a deal done before the 2025-26 season. Edmonton opens the season against the Calgary Flames on October 8th. This gives the two sides a little more than a month to work this out.
However, McDavid did not seem to feel pressure to do something quickly. Taking his time with this is important to him. And if that means contract talks stretching into the regular season, then that’s what it has to be.
“I don’t have a preference either way. I want to the group to be as focused and dialed in and ready to roll from Day 1 as much as possible and we don’t need any distractions. I’m going to take my time with it and that’s it,” McDavid said, via Sportsnet.
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