The Edmonton Oilers held their year-end media availability on Thursday, following a six-game loss within the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers. It was the second yr in a row the Oilers had fallen to the Panthers, however it was additionally the second yr Edmonton needed to take care of a contract extension for a key participant within the core. Last year, it was Leon Draisaitl. This yr, it’s Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard.
Connor McDavid Hints About His Future with the Edmonton Oilers
Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic: “Profitable is an important factor. If I really feel that there’s a superb window to win right here over and over, then signing is not any downside,” McDavid mentioned. “I’m not in a rush to make any determination. I don’t suppose that there must be any timeline.”
NHL Rumors: Where Do the Edmonton Oilers Go From Here?
Daniel Nugent Bowman of The Athletic: “I do know individuals are going to take a look at that July 1 day and be seeking to see if there’s something achieved. However I’m simply not in a rush that method.”
Derek Van Diest of NHL.com: “This core has been collectively for a very long time and we’ve been constructing to this second all alongside,” McDavid mentioned. “The work that’s gone on behind the scenes, the conversations, the disappointments and a few good instances alongside the way in which as properly.
“We’re all on this collectively, attempting to get it over that end line. With that being mentioned, in the end, I nonetheless must do what’s greatest for me and my household and that’s who I’ve to deal with first, however after all there’s unfinished enterprise right here, yeah.”
What Will Connor McDavid’s Subsequent Contract Look Like?
Ryan Rishaug of TSN: “All choices for time period are going to be thought-about. Agent Judd Moldaver has a historical past of being open to shorter offers with star gamers (Matthews 4/Werenski 6/). With that mentioned I imagine McDavid loves being an Oiler and is open to max deal as properly. His spouse Lauren is placing down enterprise roots as they embrace Edmonton collectively – however once more, profitable will stay the highest precedence.
It’s a brand new cap period for the league, and this contract coming due at first of it creates a singular state of affairs. Will likely be an enchanting few weeks for positive.”
Rishaug added: “I don’t imagine July 1st is a crucial deadline for this to get accomplished. May fairly simply push later into July and past as issues are labored out. -If ever a participant was going to get the max, with the place the cap goes and who he’s, McDavid might be the man – however with profitable the #1 precedence, extra probably is a “candy spot” between acknowledging his standing within the sport, however not doing a deal that forestalls the final word aim.”
*I’d ball-park 15m-17m relying on time period”
Jason Gregor Sports 1440: My ideas on McDavid’s subsequent contract. I wouldn’t fret about him not signing immediately. Draisaitl didn’t signal till September third. I anticipate McDavid will signal. I gained’t be stunned to see a shorter time period round 5 years. AAV in $15.5-$16m vary.
Evan Bouchard Does Not Need To Depart Edmonton
Jason Gregor Sports 1440: Bouchard on the potential for a suggestion sheet: “Haven’t considered that. I wish to be right here.”
OilersNation.com: Connor McDavid on Evan Bouchard: “That’s undoubtedly a deal that should get achieved and one which’s crucial for us.”
NHLRumors.com Word: Look, there will likely be numerous overreaction to the feedback Connor McDavid made on Thursday. He has one yr left on his deal and isn’t eligible to signal and even discuss extension till July 1st. May he take 20 p.c of the cap? Positive, McDavid might, however he gained’t as a result of he needs to win. He didn’t get each greenback he was value final time on his present deal that may expire in the summertime of 2026, as a result of he wished to have an opportunity at profitable.
NHL Considered the Day
Let the Overreaction to Connor McDavid’s Feedback about His Future Start #letsgooilers pic.twitter.com/FRtXsG1f2Y
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) June 19, 2025
You’ll be able to by no means say by no means on this enterprise, however why would Leon Draisaitl signal an eight-year extension if Connor McDavid wasn’t coming again? These two are as tight as brothers, and whether or not it’s a short-term or long-term deal, Connor McDavid will keep in Edmonton. His former agent, Jeff Jackson, is the CEO of Hockey Operations in Edmonton. He’ll get this achieved.
It is going to take a while to finish, similar to Draisaitl’s last year and Auston Matthews with the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier than that.
The way in which Evan Bouchard dismissed the provide sheet query means that he wants to remain in Edmonton with this group.
Now the work will start to maneuver cash off the books to get these offers achieved for subsequent season. Let’s see how GM Stan Bowman handles his first full low season.
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