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NHL Insider Weighs in on Oilers’ Offseason and Connor McDavid’s Future

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jul 24, 2025 9:30 AM ET

Connor McDavid’s contract situation looms large over the Edmonton Oilers with the star forward and team captain entering his final season under contract.

NHL analyst Bryan Hayes discussed the topic on TSN’s "OverDrive" on Wednesday, and he said the team’s recent offseason inactivity and the lack of impactful moves may have triggered a message from the franchise cornerstone.

“Is it possible that he’s gonna hold their feet to the fire?” Hayes said. “They have not made huge changes that would lead me to believe they’re a better team today than they were a month ago.

"So, is there a chance McDavid is still applying pressure to the front office?”

Hour 2 on the Wednesday edition w/ @HayesTSN, @Jason_Strudwick and @frankcorrado22:

- Connor McDavid yet to sign long-term wirh #LetsGoOilers + Stuart Skinner's upcoming role
- @CameronMaybin on #LightsUpLetsGo's division lead
- OverDrive Arbitrationhttps://t.co/eTvgLNrJgm
— OverDrive (@OverDrive1050) July 23, 2025

Despite losing their second straight Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers, the Oilers made only modest moves this summer.

Edmonton traded for Tampa Bay Lightning winger Isaac Howard, sent Viktor Arvidsson to the Boston Bruins, and reshuffled the coaching staff by adding a new goalie coach.

“I don’t care that you changed the goalie coach,” Hayes said, speculating on McDavid's mindset. “You'd better go find a new goalie before, out of principle, I’m not signing this until you do something tangibly different with this roster.”

McDavid, eligible since July 1 to sign an extension, hasn’t committed either way, leaving the door open for a potential exit in July 2026. He is entering the final season of his eight-year, 100 million deal.

The Oilers captain said there’s no rush to make a final decision on his future when addressing it at the end-of-season media availability.

“If I feel that there’s a good window to win here over and over again, then signing is no problem,” McDavid said. “Still need to do what’s best for me and my family.”

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

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