The future of the Edmonton Oilers captain, Connor McDavid, is the NHL’s hottest offseason storyline. As the 2025-26 season approaches, the superstar forward has yet to commit to a contract extension, leaving fans, management, and league rivals in suspense.
Fresh insider reports suggest McDavid’s next deal could reach $17.5 million per year, potentially setting a new benchmark in NHL salary history. The magnitude of such a contract would have wide-reaching implications across the league.
While negotiations remain ongoing, speculation around McDavid’s next move continues to dominate hockey media. With his current eight-year, $100 million deal entering its final season, all eyes are on Edmonton for the coming months.
Could Connor McDavid’s next contract change the NHL salary landscape?
NHL insider Frank Seravalli predicts that McDavid’s next deal could fall in the $16–$17.5 million per year range with a four-year term. “This is a pure spitball; I believe it will be somewhere between $16-17.5 million a year on a four-year deal,” Seravalli said, as reported by NHL Rumors and Bleacher Report.
Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers skates with the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on December 03, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.(Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Daily Faceoff’s Jason Gregor anticipates a five-year agreement with an average annual value (AAV) between $15.5 and $16 million, which would make McDavid the NHL’s highest-paid player starting in the 2026-27 season, surpassing all current salary records.
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What’s at stake for the Oilers and the NHL?
Drafted first overall in 2015, McDavid has been the driving force behind Edmonton’s Stanley Cup contention, leading them deep into the playoffs in recent seasons. His speed, playmaking ability, and leadership have made him the face of the franchise and one of hockey’s most marketable athletes.
The Oilers’ management has taken a patient approach, giving McDavid full control over negotiations. However, the absence of a finalized extension has fueled trade speculation and created strategic questions regarding the team’s salary cap.
A projected $16–$17.5 million AAV would force Edmonton to rework its cap strategy and set a new league-wide standard, likely affecting contracts for other elite NHL players moving forward.
SurveyWill Connor McDavid sign a new deal with the Oilers this offseason?
Will Connor McDavid sign a new deal with the Oilers this offseason?
The coming months will determine whether Connor McDavid re-signs with Edmonton or if rumors of trades gain traction. Either way, his decision will redefine the league’s salary landscape and the Oilers’ path to contention.