Welcome to NHL Rumours! We have entered the quieter days of the off-season, but news and rumours still emerge. Our rumour today pertains to a former Conn Smythe winner and superstar who is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season.
NHL Rumours
Superstar’s Negotiations to Begin in August
Rumour: Hockey insider Frank Seravalli expects that contract negotiations between Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers will begin in August.
Analysis: As soon as the Edmonton Oilers were defeated in the Stanley Cup Final, attention turned towards McDavid. The 28-year old has just one more season on his current deal. McDavid contract talks had been fairly quiet until now. Any mention of the contract has been speculation and debate. While questions still remain, at least we know when negotiations are likely to begin.
While Oilers fans are probably on their edge of their seats right now, it makes sense for both the Oilers and McDavid to wait until August to begin negotiations. The three-time Hart winner led the NHL once again in playoff points, but still could not help the Oilers capture the Stanley Cup. Two deep playoff runs that came up empty had to have taken a physical and emotional toll on McDavid. Furthermore, the Oilers captain has attended quite a few weddings this summer, so his social calendar has made negotiations difficult as well. Putting negotiations to the side for the time being may have been a good idea. For the Oilers, they have been busy looking to build a roster that can contend once again in 2025-26 alongside McDavid.
Will McDavid Stay in Edmonton?
This is the million dollar question everyone is asking. Will the best player in hockey stay with the Oilers? Since making his NHL debut in the 2015-16 season, McDavid has continued to find ways to amaze the hockey world. From a 64-goal season in 2022-23 to a Conn Smythe Award despite losing the Final, McDavid is always making headlines while wearing the Oilers sweater.
McDavid is headed to the Hockey Hall of Fame. However, spending his entire career with one franchise is a special thing that stands out on a Hall of Fame resume (not that McDavid is borderline or anything). Furthermore, staying with the Oilers would be something McDavid can do that Wayne Gretzky did not.
Should McDavid re-sign in Edmonton, the news will go down in Oiler history, similar to the news of the team acquiring Gretzky.
What Will the Contract Look Like?
McDavid is likely to become the highest-paid player in the league. Auston Matthews currently holds that title, but McDavid is likely going to take it from him. Funnily enough, McDavid is not even the highest-paid player on the Oilers. That title belongs to Leon Draisaitl, who likely would have won the Conn Smythe had the Oilers captured Lord Stanley this summer.
McDavid currently makes $12.5 million. We do know that he will make more than that. but we do not know how much more he will get or from which team. However, we do know that the contract will go no longer than seven years, per the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
