The Edmonton Oilers begin training camp this week, and it doesn’t look like Connor McDavid will be signing a new contract before then.
Many thought this story would be over by now, but the Oilers captain is still without a contract past the upcoming season. It has caused anxiety in the Edmonton capital, with even Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney talking about it recently. Unfortunately, the latest intel points to the saga drawing out a bit longer.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun provided an update on contract talks on Tuesday morning, where he said that the two sides have yet to exchange numbers in negotiations.
“Dialogue continues to be very cordial between McDavid and the Oilers,” LeBrun said. “A lot of philosophical discussions back and forth. That has not stopped at any point.
“There have not really been concrete numbers exchanged because that part of it, I think, everyone feels will be the easiest part… That will be a five-minute discussion.”
The good news in that report is the two sides are actively talking about getting an extension done. It’s clear that the McDavid camp is still interested in signing a new contract with the Oilers; otherwise, they wouldn’t be talking at all.
As the Edmonton captain alluded to earlier this month, he doesn’t seem interested in rushing to get a contract done. McDavid had a busy summer and only just recently came to the negotiation table over the last few weeks. He’s being thorough with this decision, and LeBrun said part of the discussions involve how the Oilers will look over the next few seasons.
“This is about McDavid feeling comfortable with this decision and what the team’s gonna look like past this year,” LeBrun said. “He wants to win a Cup in Edmonton, there is no question about it, but what makes sense for him going forward.”
“It may be done by puck drop next month, but it also may not be… Connor McDavid will green-light his agent when he feels comfortable green-lighting his agent to go into the next phase, and that has not happened yet.”
McDavid has shrugged off the idea that his lack of a contract will be a distraction for this Oilers club, but Sunday night saw Calgary Flames fans chanting about it at Edmonton’s rookie squad. Imagine how rival fan bases and media would react to this situation during the regular season.