Connor McDavid contract, explained: What new extension kicking in means for Oilers captain’s future in Edmonton

Connor McDavid contract, explained: What new extension kicking in means for Oilers captain’s future in Edmonton initially appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Connor McDavid is undoubtedly hockey’s biggest expertise. He’s not fairly paid prefer it, though The Oilers supernova has lengthy captivated audiences along with his pace, dexterity and artistry with the puck in his grasp. He is much less a hockey participant than a dancer, scything by the blue line earlier than producing fireworks on the web.

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McDavid’s heroics have not introduced him hockey’s biggest {hardware} — at the very least not but. With him and Leon Draisaitl on the helm, the Oilers have made it to the Stanley Cup Final twice. They fell wanting the title on each events.

Edmonton‘s defeats can hardly be positioned on McDavid. He led the league in postseason scoring in each playoffs and have become certainly one of six gamers to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP regardless of dropping the Stanley Cup Final in 2024.

However, untimely postseason exits have confirmed all too acquainted for the Oilers all through McDavid’s tenure. Their newest defeat, this time by the hands of the Ducksyou will have some questioning what is going to occur with the 29-year-old in the following few seasons.

With that, here is what it’s worthwhile to learn about McDavid’s newest contract extension, signed earlier than the beginning of the 2025-26 season.

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Connor McDavid contract particulars

• Contract worth: $25 million

McDavid was slated to hit free company on the finish of the 2025-26 season. Days earlier than the season began, the Oilers introduced that their talisman had inked a short-term extension to stay in Edmonton for the upcoming season.

The figures have been far decrease than McDavid’s on-ice manufacturing would counsel. McDavid took residence $12.5 million yearly on his final contract, signed forward of the 2018 season when the wage cap stood at $78.5 million. That mark will sit at $104 million in 2026-27. Whereas McDavid’s first contract extension noticed him devour a bit of greater than 15 % of Edmonton’s wage cap in 2018, his $12.5 million common annual worth will account for solely about 12 % of that determine in 2026-27. In different phrases, the Oilers may have extra money to work with as they try and construct a winner round McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard.

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McDavid took a team-friendly deal, passing up thousands and thousands to remain in Edmonton in the quick time period. The contract additionally serves as insurance coverage for the Oilers, who might, theoretically, dangle McDavid as a commerce chip ought to he resolve he needs out earlier than the expiration of his contract.

MORE: Updated list of finalists for the Hart, Norris, Vezina, Calder & more

How a few years does Connor McDavid have left on his contract?

McDavid’s contract extension kicks in initially of the 2026-27 season. He has two years left on that contract, with the deal set to run out on the finish of the 2027-28 season.

Highest-paid gamers in NHL

McDavid was the fourth-highest earner in the NHL this season, taking residence $12.5 million. He’ll tumble down the standings considerably in 2026-27 — Kirill Kaprizov ($17 million AAV) and Jack Eichel‘s ($13.5 million AAV) contract extensions will shake up the record subsequent 12 months.

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All instructed, McDavid’s extension mimics offers for Nathan MacKinnon ($12.6 million AAV), Kyle Connor ($12 million AAV), Mitchell Marner ($12 million AAV) and Mikko Rantanen ($12 million AAV).

With that, here is a take a look at the highest-paid gamers by cap hit in 2025-26.