The Edmonton Oilers find themselves at a crossroads as the new NHL season approaches. On Wednesday, General Manager Stan Bowman faced questions about captain Connor McDavid’s contract situation and how it might be influenced by Kirill Kaprizov’s massive new deal with the Minnesota Wild.
Will Connor McDavid’s Next Deal Follow Kaprizov’s Record-Setting Contract?
Kaprizov recently signed an eight-year, $136 million contract worth $17 million annually, the richest deal the league has ever seen. That number quickly sparked speculation about what McDavid could earn when his own deal, worth $12.5 million per season, expires at the end of this year. Bowman, however, downplayed any direct link between the two stars.
“Connor’s just a unique player,” he said. “There’s no one in the world like him.” In other words, Kaprizov’s contract might reset the market for others, but McDavid’s situation stands apart.
The Wild reportedly upped their offer after Kaprizov rejected an earlier $128 million proposal. The final figure shattered expectations and raised the financial bar across the NHL. By comparison, McDavid has been playing under his eight-year, $100 million contract since 2017.
Insiders believe McDavid could name his price if he wanted to. He has three Hart Trophies, five scoring titles, and is widely regarded as the best player in the world.
But according to multiple reports, including analysis from Elliotte Friedman, McDavid may not chase the $17 million AAV headline. Instead, he could focus on giving Edmonton more room to build a contender.
MORE: ‘Not True at All’ — Connor McDavid Fiercely Defends Oilers, Fights Back Against Popular Narrative
A shorter deal with a slightly lower cap hit has been floated. That strategy would allow the Oilers to take advantage of the $42 million in projected cap space next summer, money that could help them re-sign key players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Evan Bouchard and continue chasing a Stanley Cup.
Bowman’s Careful Optimism
Bowman refused to commit to a timeline for McDavid’s decision. “I don’t have expectations either way,” he told reporters. “I think we’re continuing to talk to [agent] Judd [Moldaver] regularly. I talk to him almost every day and have had good chats with Connor all along the way, too, so I guess I don’t like to make predictions. We’ll see where it goes.”
He also highlighted McDavid’s sharp form in preseason action, noting the chemistry he’s shown alongside Leon Draisaitl. But as far as predictions go, Bowman struck a cautious note. The choice, he acknowledged, ultimately lies with McDavid.
“There are certain things that are in your control and out of your control. So we’re just focused on not getting way ahead of ourselves… I find it’s best to kind of stay in the moment, not getting too far down the road,” he said.
McDavid, now 28, is heading into the final year of his current deal with plenty of speculation surrounding his future. TSN’s Chris Johnston suggested the Oilers’ captain is “operating in his own universe” and is unlikely to use Kaprizov’s deal as a template. A two-to-four-year contract appears more likely than another long-term extension.
The Oilers’ locker room is currently focused on the upcoming season. But with McDavid set to become the most talked-about free agent in hockey if he remains unsigned into next July, Bowman’s steady optimism will soon be tested.
