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NHL Insider Makes Big Prediction on Connor McDavid Extension

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated Aug 29, 2025 2:48 PM ET

As the Edmonton Oilers continue their offseason, the future of star Connor McDavid has been one of the central talking points. McDavid will be entering the upcoming season on the final year of his current contract, and there have been all sorts of rumors around him possibly leaving town.

The Oilers have hoped to sign him to a long-term extension this summer, but nothing has come close to happening yet. However, there have been some new updates to come in around the idea of an extension potentially happening this summer.

Connor McDavid Won't Sign Extension With Oilers...Yet

NHL insider Chris Johnston spoke about the idea behind an extension for McDavid, and it seems that it may not happen before the new year. Johnston is predicting that the star forward will enter the season as an expiring deal, which isn't what many Edmonton fans want to hear.

Chris Johnston: Re McDavid extension: If you had to pin me down, my guess is the season will start without him signing an extension - TSN (8/27)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) August 28, 2025

This comes around McDavid's first comments since the Oilers lost in the Stanley Cup Final. There has been a lot of speculation around his future, and the star did Edmonton no help with his public statement.

“Like I said at the end of June, I had every intention just to take my time with it, and I still feel the same way,” said McDavid, who has one year left on his eight-year, $100 million contract. “Take my time and go through everything.”

Edmonton will try to do whatever it can to convince McDavid to resign with them, but he could also entertain the idea of free agency. If McDavid were to hit the open market, there could be a bidding war to land his services like the league has never seen.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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