Since Connor McDavid is eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1, everyone’s eyes are on influencing the decision of Captain Edmonton Oilers, both in terms of the date he signed and the type of deal he agreed to. While McDavid has been the face of the franchise for nearly a decade, his future in Edmonton doesn’t seem to be guaranteed. After approaching the back-to-back season in the pain of capturing the Stanley Cup, McDavid’s priorities have become clearer and clearer, they’re more than just dollars.
Here are three of McDavid’s most important things as he considers what his next deal in Edmonton looks like:
Priority 1: Nothing is more important than winning McDavid
McDavid’s number one goal was clearly winning the Stanley Cup. This single focus is why the eight-year extension with the Oilers team is, although it may not be certain, yet. Heartbroken lost in Game 7 of the 2023-24 Stanley Cup final and then again in Game 6 of the following season finals, which only exacerbated the hunger to win everything.
Not only did McDavid want to win the Cup, but he wanted to win the game multiple times, he wanted to do it in Edmonton. The delay this summer seems like he needs to know that the organization is going all out in every season he plays for the team. He is not interested in long-term security, and competition comes at the cost of it. McDavid is chasing a legacy and knows it would be incomplete without lifting the cup.
He made it clear that winning is the only thing that matters most and that the Oiler needs to work with him to get the job done.
Priority 2: Win with the core
If winning is the top priority, then winning with this core group will be second. There is a difference between trying to lift a cup and doing that after you bail your brother who fought a few seasons beside yourself. Don’t expect McDavid to do the latter.
McDavid wants to celebrate with his teammates in the tide. Leon Draisaitl. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Nurse Darnell. Zach Hyman. Evan Bouchard. These players are not only part of the roster, but also part of his hockey family.
Whether it’s McDavid’s feeling, or leaving McDavid, or the key elements of the Oilers trade to build a championship roster, the idea of tearing down this group is almost McDavid’s starter unless the Oilers somehow get the assets of another team in an unbalanced trade. Anyone who suggests Oil Man deals Nugent Hopkins, nurses or Heyman puts these pieces together should understand the potential impact of such a decision. McDavid was driven to win, but he was also loyal and committed to winning with many teammates who all shared his desire for the Cup.
What kind of leader would he be if he gave up on a team that was so close to two times without seeing it? He thinks they should do the job together. Any move by Edmonton to an unnecessary core breakdown could actually hurt the Oiler’s chances of staying captained for a long time.
Related: Oilers do miraculous jobs in the Kane trade with Canucks
Sometimes, McDavid felt that he had no choice but to move on. Of course not at that time.
Due to his family relationships, speculation usually links McDavid to other markets, especially Toronto. However, many people overlook how he defines the term “family”. This team is this group of players and has become his big family. He wants to win. He can do this only if there is no other way.
One third of the distant one: compensation
While McDavid is undoubtedly one of the greatest players of his generation, his next contract is not about maximizing every dollar. He made millions of dollars and would make millions more. Of course, safety and fair pay are still important, but that is not the main issue.
If that means improving the roster and maintaining the identity of core teammates, McDavid is willing to cut his salary. The millions of dollars he can ask for each year doesn’t fall on the table. He knows that building consistent competitors in the NHL’s cap system requires him to allow the team to conduct other businesses. He is playing his role.
McDavid understands the pressure to sign a deal that reflects its value, but he is equally interested in making a deal that reflects his commitment to winning.
If the oilers can continue to build cores around the core and prove their commitment to winning, they will provide themselves with the best opportunity to be the best player in the world since he was selected as the NHL. If he likes what he sees, he will spend less time making it work.
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