McDavid Stays in Edmonton

The Edmonton Oilers have secured the future of their captain, Connor McDavid, agreeing to a two-year deal with an average annual value of $12.5 million. The announcement was first reported by NHL insider Frank Seravalli, following indications from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman that a deal was imminent.

McDavid, who was poised to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026, is coming off impressive back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances. The star center's previous extension, an eight-year, $100 million deal signed in 2017, set a record in the NHL, and expectations are high for the terms of this new agreement.

Continuing the Journey

Alongside McDavid, the Oilers retain fellow superstar Leon Draisaitl, who inked his own eight-year, $112 million extension as the 2024-25 season approaches. This continuity is crucial for the team, especially as they look to build on their recent successes.

McDavid recently completed his fifth consecutive regular season with over 100 points in 2024-25 and led all players in postseason assists for the second year running, showcasing his elite playmaking skills. However, despite their strong performances, McDavid and the Oilers faced disappointment once again as they fell to the Florida Panthers in the 2025 finals.

His remarkable 2023-24 regular season included a historic achievement, joining hockey legends Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Bobby Orr as the fourth player ever to record 100 assists in a single season, even after missing six games. McDavid also broke the single-postseason assists record previously held by Gretzky, adding 34 assists during the playoffs.

With 721 career assists in his first 10 seasons, McDavid ranks second in franchise history for the Oilers, right behind Gretzky. Living up to the hype as a generational talent since being the top pick in the 2015 draft, McDavid now aims to clinch that elusive Stanley Cup.

By maintaining both McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers are poised for dynamic offensive play and a competitive edge on the power play, as they continue their pursuit of hockey's ultimate prize in the coming seasons.