On Monday, the fans and those in charge of the Edmonton Oilers must have taken a few things off their chests. After it was not clear for a long time whether Connor McDavid would extend his contract, the franchise was finally able to announce at the beginning of the week that it had expanded its cooperation with the captain. The terms of the deal continue to amaze.
Renowned NHL insider Elliotte Friedman is convinced that even the Edmonton Oilers’ optimistic negotiators did not assume that they would be able to tie the Canadian to the team for two more years for an annual salary of “only” $12.5 million. The sports journalist explained this in his “32 Thoughts” column Sportsnet.
“On Monday around 9 a.m. Edmonton time, the Oilers got the great news that McDavid was looking to extend,” Friedman revealed, revealing, “Even they were surprised by the salary. It wasn’t a negotiation. They would do whatever he wanted. But I would bet my mortgage for this month that their lowest draft contract wasn’t under $14 million.”
NHL: McDavid takes a back seat for the Oilers’ success
However, he had already heard from the league last year that McDavid would not become the new NHL top earner with the Oilers: “Last year a player said that there was a possibility that McDavid would demand less than Leon Draisaitl in his next contract. I should have listened to him.”
McDavid was selected first overall by the Oilers in the 2015 draft and is entering his 11th season with the Alberta team. The 28-year-old Canadian recorded 1,232 scorer points (405 goals, 827 assists) in 808 games, including the playoffs.
Edmonton starts the new season on Thursday night (4 a.m.). After two defeats in a row in the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers, this time the Oilers’ first triumph since 1990 is set for.