McDavid holds all the cards here. He’s the best player of his generation and is still regarded as the top talent in the league, even after a down season by his standards in 2024-25. He could sign for the league maximum 20 percent of the salary cap for any length up to eight seasons, and no one could argue he isn’t worth every penny.

Naturally, that’s not what Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman want to be known for. There is also the question of McDavid’s contract status, which one analyst has a unique take on.Former NHLer and current Oilers Analyst,

McDavid is entering the final season of an eight-year, $100 million contract ($12.5 million average annual value). The 28-year-old center can become an unrestricted free agent July 1, 2026, if he does not sign a new contract with Edmonton, which has been able to re-sign McDavid since July 1.

Just got off the phone with a major source who confirmed what two sources earlier today told me: This is a pivotal weekend for the future of the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid.