The Edmonton Oilers are one of the most discussed teams in the NHL. Edmonton has represented the Western Conference in each of the last two seasons. And any team that features Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid in the same lineup will draw a ton of attention in hockey.
The discussion heading into the 2025-26 season centers around McDavid, too. The Oilers captain is a free agent at the end of this season. If he reaches July 1 without a contract, he will be free to sign with any team when the market opens for NHL Free Agency.
Edmonton is currently working to make sure this does not happen. They are trying to sign the league’s most talented player to a new contract before the 2025-26 season begins. However, McDavid has remained steadfast in his desire to take his time with this process.
This discussion will envelop the team until it’s resolved either way. And Draisaitl is the latest to discuss the matter. He reaffirmed that he wants McDavid alongside him for the remainder of their careers.
“It’s not really for me to comment on, of course I want him here for as long as possible,” Draisaitl told NHL.com after an informal skate on Thursday. “I want to do it with him, but it’s about him and his family and they’re going to make their decision based on what’s best for them.”
Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid Have Dominated
Steph Chambers/Getty ImagesThe Edmonton Oilers are currently working to re-sign Connor McDavid before he hits NHL Free Agency next year.
As mentioned, these two have run roughshod through the NHL as of late. In fact, they are two of the league’s best players in each of the last five seasons. Their dominance has reached heights not seen in a long while.
McDavid has scored 199 goals and 613 points since the 2019-20 season. In that same time, Draisaitl has scored 231 goals and 534 points. These two have combined for over 1000 points all on their own in the last five seasons.
McDavid has three Hart Trophies as NHL MVP, while Draisaitl has one. Moreover, Draisaitl has a Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s best goal scorer. McDavid won the Conn Smythe in 2024 as the MVP of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
These players are a class above the rest when they are on their games. This is why they’ve been the team to beat in the Western Conference. And this is why all eyes around the hockey world are turned toward Alberta at this time.
Draisaitl Hoping For McDavid Extension Soon
Draisaitl mentioned that this is not his situation to comment on. And the Oilers star is happy to stay out of the way. As a result, it’s unlikely he will be pounding the table for a quick resolution.
In saying this, he does hope something comes down the pike soon. As he said, he wants McDavid around for the long haul. The Oilers captain loves the city, and Draisaitl wants to see the captain remain in Oilers Blue and Orange.
“I know he loves it here, I know he feels at home here, but there’s a lot of things that play into a decision like that,” Draisaitl said, via NHL.com. “Hopefully something gets reported soon.”
Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl Makes Feelings Clear on Connor McDavid’s Future