DETROIT — A week after Connor McDavid addressed his contract situation at Canadian Olympic camp, Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman calmly exuded confidence in the process while acknowledging that it’s going to be a big talking point around the NHL until it’s resolved.
McDavid seemed pretty forthright in his comments to the media in Calgary last week, reiterating that what’s important to him is winning a Stanley Cup and that he has “every intention” of doing so in Edmonton — but is working his way through his process as far as when he feels ready to greenlight a contract-extension negotiation.
All good with the Oilers front office.
“You have to approach Connor differently than anyone else because he is different than anyone else,” Bowman told The Athletic in an interview before the NHL GM/coaches meeting Wednesday. “He’s the best player in the world and, as a result, has earned the right to handle this the way he feels right to handle it.
“I think we can just support him in that process. I have no reason to doubt anything he said (last week). I take him to his word that he’s focused on winning the Cup in Edmonton. And we feel the same way. It’s just really trying to maintain patience. That’s the hard thing for the outside world to do. But for us, that’s fine. He’s always been a man of his word to me. I trust him. He’s going through his own process, and when he’s ready, he’s ready. That’s understandable.
“So I guess the internal feeling is different maybe than what’s swirling on the outside. But I think that’s more out of respect for Connor and being patient with where he’s at.”
Bowman added that he and the Oilers’ brain trust, led by CEO and president of hockey operations Jeff Jackson (McDavid’s former agent), have spoken at length with McDavid and his agent, Judd Moldaver.
“Right after the season, we met with Connor in person, but it was less about the contract — it’s a different negotiation that way than other players,” Bowman said. “The conversations were really more about the team itself. Like, ‘How are we going to get over the hump?’ ‘What do you see, and here’s what I see.’
“They’re really all positive and constructive conversations. We’ve had great discussions with Judd, as well, throughout the process this summer. Really just trying to be respectful. Connor is that player who has earned the right not to be forced into anything. It’s on his plate, and when he’s ready, he’s ready.’’
When will No. 97 be ready to negotiate? That’s what no one is sure of. Perhaps not even McDavid himself at this point. Will he wake up next week and want to get it done before camp? Or wait until before the regular season next month? Or wait until halfway through the season after getting a handle on the team? Or play out the season before deciding? Those are all possibilities.
At the core of it, I think, is McDavid deciding where he sees the Oilers in two or three years. Will they still be elite contenders?
If and when McDavid is ready to bring it to the next level and instruct Moldaver to begin the numbers part of the discussion, it shouldn’t take long. The player holds all the cards in that negotiation.
But until then, the hockey world waits on McDavid’s decision. Will the white noise around it bother him? Will it be a distraction for his teammates? All factors that could play into his decision.
In the meantime, the beat goes on for an Oilers team once again having had a short summer but without the benefit of a Cup celebration.
“It’s challenging when you go that far but you fall short,” Bowman said. “I was fortunate the other years that I made it (3-0 in Cup Finals with the Chicago Blackhawks). It reminded me of a conversation I had with (former Boston Bruins GM) Peter Chiarelli in 2013 (after the Blackhawks beat the Bruins in the Final). Start of the next season, and I was lamenting the fact (that) we didn’t have much time to prepare. He laughed and said, ‘Well, we didn’t either, we had just as short a summer, but we didn’t win anything.’”
Oilers GM Stan Bowman and coach Kris Knoblauch speak to the media before the team’s second straight Stanley Cup Final appearance. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
Those short summers sting even more.
“But as time passes, you can reflect on the season a little bit differently,” Bowman said. “There’s a lot of heartache in the moment, but you recognize we did a lot of good things. We had a great run. It was fun to be part of and to watch the city be captivated by the team. And the passion for our players, to keep pushing and finding a way after that slow start against Los Angeles (in the first round).
“The resiliency is something you come to appreciate. But the job is not done yet. We just have to keep at it. Two years in a row, right there. Hopefully third time’s a charm.”
The Oilers tweaked their roster this summer, particularly up front. Out are Corey Perry, Jeff Skinner, Evander Kane and Viktor Arvidsson. In is Andrew Mangiapane. Trade deadline pickup Trent Frederic was extended, and there’s room for younger players to grab a role, such as Matt Savoie and newcomer Ike Howard.
“Everyone’s pretty optimistic about their team at this time of year,” Bowman said. “Everything you’ve envisioned, you envision in the most positive light. But no, I’m encouraged. I’m excited we’ve got some different looks with some younger players. Some excitement. Some things we haven’t had in the past. We have some new players coming over from Europe that are going to be exciting, but people don’t know much about.
“Once everyone sees them and our coaches do and get familiar with what they can do, I do think we have enough newness that it’s going to be a fresh season for us. I can’t wait to get going.”
(Photo of Connor McDavid: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)