Training camp has finally arrived for the Edmonton Oilers. On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, the camp roster arrives at Rogers Place for media availabilities. Additionally, everyone from Stuart Skinner to Troy Stecher will go through their medicals and fitness testing.
However, the 16 million dollar (or 17, 18, 19 million) question on everyone’s mind is when is Connor McDavid going to sign an extension with the Oilers? Or will he bolt out East at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, for his childhood team, the Toronto Maple Leafs?
On the latest episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Leon Draisaitl spoke to the hosts about McDavid’s future. The reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner revealed his complicated answer to that question.
Leon Draisaitl on Connor McDavid
GettyLeon Draisaitl & Connor McDavid
Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas spoke with Draisaitl on Tuesday, September 16. In that conversation, Draisaitl spoke about whether he is surprised that McDavid is going into training camp without a contract extension signed with the Oilers.
“I don’t know if surprised is the right word,” Draisaitl said to the hosts. “I know how this process goes, and I’ve said it from my own process; everyone’s decision, everyone’s process is different. He’s got a different timeline.”
“I don’t really know, to be honest, what is really going on between them or what they’re at or what they’re not at, I don’t know.”
Draisaitl also discussed his own feelings about where things are with McDavid’s contract, addressing his level of concern with the situation.
“I wouldn’t say that I’m nervous about it or anything like that. Obviously, I hope that it gets done,” Draisaitl revealed. “I hope that something will show up and get done in the next little bit here. And then if it doesn’t, that’s his right and his decision as well. I think there is a lot of factors that play into it.”
Leon Draisaitl on the Media’s Reaction to Connor McDavid’s Status
GettyConnor McDavid & Leon Draisaitl
Some have said that going into the season without McDavid being signed would be a distraction. Draisaitl revealed his thoughts on that matter.
“If anything, the media is going to make it a distraction,” Draisaitl declared. “We have one job, (and) we’re excited to start up again and create our team, create our dynamic within our team, and what type of team we’re going to be.”
“He’s obviously going to be a part of that.”
Draisaitl expanded on the timeline of McDavid’s (hopeful) extension and offered some perspective from his vantage point.
“Maybe they’re not in as much of a rush,” the Rocket Richard winner said. “Maybe Connor doesn’t care about…there’s always this thought that he doesn’t want to interrupt anything, he doesn’t want to drag this out into the season, but what’s he interrupting? He’s not interrupting anything.”
“This is two sides negotiating whatever they are negotiating. I’m still very confident and hope something gets done soon.”
With Draisaitl and McDavid being good friends, it’s assumed that this topic would be a popular conversation between the two of them. Draisaitl spoke about what they’re dynamics actually are.
“Of course, there’s a conversation about it every once in a while, but it’s not like we talk about it every week,” Draisaitl revealed. “I’m not texting him like ‘hey, where are you at? What’s going on?’ It’s not like that. I give him his space, I give them their time.”
“They’re going to figure it out.”
Every Oilers fan wants to believe you, Draisaitl. And all of Oil Country waits for that signature on the dotted line to prove it.
‘I Don’t Know If Surprised is the Right Word’: Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl Speaks on Connor McDavid’s Situation