McDavid’s Next Contract With Oilers Depends on 3 Things

With Connor McDavid eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1, all eyes are on what will influence the Edmonton Oilers captain’s decision, both in terms of the date he signs and the type of deal he agrees to. While McDavid has been the face of the franchise for nearly a decade, what his future in Edmonton looks like isn’t guaranteed. After back-to-back seasons of coming painfully close to capturing the Stanley Cup, McDavid’s priorities are becoming clearer, and they revolve around more than just dollars.

Here are the three things that matter most to McDavid as he contemplates what his next deal in Edmonton looks like:

Priority No. 1: Nothing Matters More Than Winning for McDavid

McDavid’s number one goal is obviously to win a Stanley Cup. That singular focus is why an eight-year extension with the Oilers, while possible, isn’t a sure thing just yet. The heartbreak of losing in Game 7 of the 2023-24 Stanley Cup Final, followed by another crushing defeat in Game 6 of the following season’s Final, has only intensified the hunger to win it all.

McDavid doesn’t just want to win a Cup—he wants to win it more than once, and he wants to do it in Edmonton. The delay this summer seems to be that he needs to know that the organization is all-in on contending every season he plays for this team. He’s not interested in long-term security at the cost of competing. McDavid is chasing a legacy, and he understands it won’t be complete without lifting the Cup.

He’s made it clear that winning is the only thing that ultimately matters, and the Oilers need to work with him to get the job done.

Priority No. 2: Winning With the Core

If winning is the top priority, winning with this core group is a close second. There is a difference between wanting to hoist the Cup and getting to do it after you’ve bailed on your brothers who fought for several seasons beside you. Don’t expect McDavid to do the latter.

McDavid wants to celebrate with the teammates who’ve been in the trenches with him. Leon Draisaitl. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Darnell Nurse. Zach Hyman. Evan Bouchard. These players aren’t just part of the roster—they’re part of his hockey family.

Whether it’s McDavid feeling he needs to leave or the Oilers trading key pieces to build a championship roster, the idea of dismantling this group is almost a non-starter for McDavid, unless the Oilers somehow acquire another team’s assets in a lopsided deal. Anyone suggesting that the Oilers trade Nugent-Hopkins, Nurse, or Hyman to put the pieces together should understand the potential fallout of such a decision. McDavid is driven to win, but he’s also loyal and dedicated to winning alongside many of his teammates, all of whom share his desire for the Cup.