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Chris Johnston: McDavid Could Shock Oilers with Surprising Move

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 9:41 AM ET

Connor McDavid's future appears to still be in Edmonton, but according to a top insider, his next deal with the Oilers could be a very surprising one.

The Edmonton Oilers have fallen at the final hurdle on their quest for a Stanley Cup for two straight years, and now, it appears as though big changes could be coming to the organization this summer.

While Connor McDavid isn't expected to depart, his future in Edmonton may be a little shorter than expected by many fans, especially following this recent report from top NHL Insider Chris Johnston.

According to Johnston, McDavid's next deal could be a shorter one in the 2-4 year range, allowing him to keep his options open while continuing to put pressure on GM Stan Bowman and the organization to put the best possible team around the NHL's best overall player.

This summer, the team has plenty to accomplish, as they need to lock in star blue liner Evan Bouchard while also making a change in net, and with McDavid set for unrestricted free agency a year from now, they need to be urgent in upgrading this very talented team.

While McDavid likely won't leave the Oilers in free agency, if he signs an extension between 2-4 years, it will allow him to sign another mega deal in the future, and as a result, this is the most likely outcome for this summer.

It's unclear exactly when he's likely to sign this extension, whether it happens this off-season or carries into the 2025/26 regular season, but as of right now, all signs point to a short-term deal for Connor McDavid as he looks to finally get over the hump in Edmonton.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

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