The Contract Crossroads: How McDavid Navigates Hockey's New Financial Era

Connor McDavid stands at a pivotal decision point as the Edmonton Oilers enter a transformative season. With the 2025 NHL training camp less than three weeks away, the star forward remains uncommitted to a long-term extension despite becoming eligible on July 1. His deliberate approach mirrors a broader trend among elite players who are fundamentally reassessing what their next deal should look like in an evolving economic landscape.

The backdrop for these negotiations has shifted dramatically. The NHL’s salary cap is experiencing significant growth across the next three seasons, fundamentally altering the calculus for both players and franchises. McDavid’s camp, now guided by agent Judd Moldaver, is essentially waiting to see how this new financial reality will take shape before locking into terms. “I still feel the same way — take my time and go through everything,” McDavid told reporters at Hockey Canada’s orientation camp in Calgary.

Learning from Recent Precedents

The paths taken by his peers offer instructive lessons. Sidney Crosby’s extension with Pittsburgh came remarkably late—just before training camp began in September 2024, after nearly three months of deliberation. His two-year deal maintained the same $8.7 million cap hit he’d carried since 2008-09, a deliberate choice that speaks to Crosby’s long-term thinking.

Sam Reinhart’s situation presented a different timeline. As an impending unrestricted free agent in 2024, he waited until June 30—literally hours before free agency opened—before accepting Edmonton’s eight-year, $69 million extension. These examples demonstrate that elite performers frequently extend negotiations closer to training camp rather than rushing to conclude them early.

Looking further into the league’s recent history, Nathan MacKinnon signed his eight-year extension with Colorado on September 20, 2022, waiting well into the pre-season timeline. David Pastrnak followed a similar pattern, inking his eight-year deal in March 2023. These precedents suggest that delaying announcements until late summer or even during the season is increasingly common among franchise anchors.

The Financial Incentive for Strategic Patience

What distinguishes this era from McDavid’s earlier contract decisions is the structural opportunity. When McDavid signed his current deal on July 5, 2017—just five days after becoming eligible—he was a 20-year-old phenom. His then-agent Jeff Jackson (now the Oilers’ CEO and president of hockey operations) guided him into a long-term commitment during a different salary cap environment.

The current market offers alternatives that didn’t exist then. Following Auston Matthews’ model, who signed a four-year extension in August 2023, shorter-term deals allow players to re-negotiate when the cap ceiling climbs substantially higher. McDavid could theoretically ink a bridge deal now and position himself for an even more lucrative agreement in 2028 or 2029 when the salary cap has expanded considerably further.

Edmonton’s Organizational Ties

The likelihood of McDavid remaining with the Oilers appears strong despite the negotiation delays. His best friend Leon Draisaitl is locked into an eight-year commitment through the organization. Beyond the hockey operations, McDavid’s wife Lauren has invested deeply in Edmonton—operating a brick-and-mortar bar and collaborating extensively with the franchise on her Sports Club Atelier clothing line. These personal and business connections create anchors that transcend typical contract dynamics.

The Pre-Season Calculus

McDavid explicitly stated his preference: “We don’t need any distractions,” when discussing the value of resolving the contract before camp opens. He maintains singular focus on winning in Edmonton, setting aside discussions about gold medal aspirations with Canada to emphasize his franchise commitment.

However, insider John Shannon offered a contrasting assessment on the 100% Hockey podcast in late August. “It’s not going to be announced in training camp. He’s going to go into the regular season without a new contract,” Shannon predicted. He suggested that the core negotiations haven’t actually commenced yet, and that managing the narrative through camp may be part of McDavid’s strategic approach rather than an obstacle.

The Edmonton Oilers open their pre-season against Calgary on September 21 with back-to-back split-squad games, followed by their regular-season opener on October 8. Whether McDavid’s contract situation is resolved before puck drops remains uncertain, but history suggests the answer will come closer to camp than observers expect.