June 19, 2025 | 2:20pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

MCDAVID IN “NO RUSH” TO FINALIZE NEXT CONTRACT

Connor McDavid, centre

Connor McDavid is eligible to sign a contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers effective July 1, but if a new deal is not ironed out by then, fans do not need to press the panic button.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, McDavid voiced his desire to win and while he indicated he needs to “take some time to regroup” after losing in the Stanley Cup Final for the second year in a row, he admitted he is in “no rush” to getting a new deal done.

“It’s only been a couple of days, I’m sure we’ll get into it over the course of the next couple of weeks,” McDavid said. “I’m not in a rush to make any decision, so I don’t think that there needs to be any timeline. I know people are going to look at that July 1 day and be looking to see if there’s anything done. But for me, I’m just not in a rush in that way.”

McDavid, 28, is entering the final year of an eight-year, $100 million contract. Without an extension, he can become an unrestricted free agent July 1, 2026.

However, as has been reported, neither the Oilers nor McDavid’s camp appear to be concerned about the future.

As TFP’s David Pagnotta has also reported, the Oilers and McDavid’s agent have already discussed options revolving around long-term and mid-term deals, and those discussions, as McDavid alluded to, will resume in the near future.

“This core has been together for a long time, and we’ve been building to this moment all along,” McDavid said. “The work that’s gone on behind the scenes, the conversations, the endless disappointments, and some good times along the way, obviously. We’re all in this together trying to get it over that finish line.

“With that being said, ultimately, I still need to do what’s best for me and my family – that’s who I’ve got to take care of first. But of course, there’s unfinished business.”

McDavid’s next contract is expected to come in between $15 million and $18 million, per season, depending on the term he signs on for, which is expected to be between four and eight years.

With around $13 million in salary cap space for next season, the Oilers are looking to shed some salary and strengthen their roster for the 2025-26 campaign.

As TFP reported on Wednesday, the Oilers are expected to gauge the trade market on forwards Evander Kane and Viktor Arvidsson – moving both would free up $9.125 million in cap space, providing they do not acquire a player in return.

The Oilers are in the process of negotiating extensions with forwards Corey Perry and Trent Frederic, while talks with Connor Brown’s camp are expected, as well.

Frederic is expected to sign a long-term extension with the Oilers, potentially eight-years in the $28 million to $31 million range, though as of Thursday afternoon a deal had not yet been finalized.

McDavid issued a message to the Oilers fanbase: “Keep being patient, keep believing.”

While there is work to be done for Oilers GM Stan Bowman, most of it in short order, there remains confidence in having the captain around for the foreseeable future.