“Connor McDavid Contract Talks Set to Heat Up Right After Leon Draisaitl’s Wedding, Says Oilers Insider — Edmonton Prioritizes Locking Down Franchise Star Before 2026 Free Agency”
Connor McDavid, the face of the Edmonton Oilers and arguably the most electrifying talent the NHL has seen in a generation, is approaching a major turning point in his career—and so is the franchise that drafted him. With his current eight-year, \$100 million deal set to expire in 2026, the anticipation surrounding his next contract has only intensified. However, according to trusted Oilers insider Bob Stauffer, there’s now a clearer timeline for when fans can expect serious negotiations to begin. In a recent update that sent ripples through the hockey world, Stauffer revealed that contract talks are expected to gain traction immediately after Leon Draisaitl’s wedding, scheduled for the first weekend of August. Though McDavid has made no public statements about his contractual future, this internal update signals that Edmonton is preparing to make a full-court press to retain their captain well before he reaches unrestricted free agency.
McDavid has already given the Oilers everything they could have asked for since being drafted first overall in 2015. From winning Hart Trophies to leading the league in scoring and dragging the Oilers back into contention, he has redefined the expectations for a superstar in a Canadian market. His speed, vision, and competitiveness are the engine that drives the franchise. It’s no surprise, then, that the Oilers’ front office is shifting its focus squarely to securing his long-term future once the offseason festivities—including Draisaitl’s upcoming nuptials—conclude. Draisaitl, McDavid’s linemate and partner-in-crime on the ice, is not only central to the Oilers’ core but also a close friend, making the personal and professional timelines intricately linked. Stauffer’s update subtly but clearly frames Draisaitl’s wedding as the final checkpoint before all attention turns to the biggest contractual priority in franchise history.
The significance of this timeline can’t be overstated. Edmonton’s recent run to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances has rekindled the belief that a championship is not just possible, but within reach. McDavid has not only played up to his immense hype but has exceeded it, elevating his game on the biggest stages and delivering some of the most iconic playoff performances in modern hockey. But as the Oilers’ window to win remains open, the risk of letting McDavid enter his final contract year without an extension looms large. Teams across sports know how dangerous that can be, both from a leverage standpoint and a public relations one. Edmonton appears to understand this urgency and is working behind the scenes to ensure that McDavid never comes close to entertaining offers from other teams.
It’s no secret that McDavid’s presence has been the gravitational pull that attracted other key pieces to the Oilers. Players like Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, and Mattias Ekholm didn’t just come to Edmonton for a paycheck—they came to compete alongside one of the greatest players in NHL history. The Oilers’ recent success on the ice has been built around a culture that McDavid helped create, one centered on accountability, speed, and relentless pursuit of greatness. Losing him would not only gut the roster of its best player but dismantle the identity the team has carefully built over the last several seasons.
This is why Stauffer’s report resonates so deeply. It suggests a level of strategic planning and internal confidence that the Oilers can get this done—perhaps not immediately, but certainly before the pressure of the 2025-26 season begins to mount. Tying the beginning of negotiations to a personal event like Draisaitl’s wedding also humanizes the process. It reminds fans that while these are professional athletes, they are also people with friendships, families, and life events that play a role in the timing of major decisions. By waiting until the wedding is over, the Oilers are showing a level of respect and awareness, giving McDavid and Draisaitl the space to enjoy a major personal milestone before diving into what will undoubtedly be intense and highly scrutinized negotiations.
Meanwhile, the Oilers have additional contract concerns to juggle. Defensemen Mattias Ekholm and Jake Walman, both vital contributors to the team’s defensive structure and puck-moving schemes, are also expected to enter negotiations soon. But McDavid’s deal is the one that everything else revolves around. Locking him in long-term would set the tone for the entire organization, signaling stability and ambition. It would also give the front office a clearer picture of how to build around him for the next era of contention. Without that clarity, every other decision—from trades to signings to draft picks—comes with a question mark attached.
For McDavid, this is more than just a contract negotiation. It’s about legacy. He has already cemented his status as a generational player, but lifting the Stanley Cup remains the one elusive goal. Staying in Edmonton would allow him to chase that goal with the teammates and fans who have been by his side since day one. It would also give him a chance to finish what he started, to complete the arc from young phenom to seasoned leader to champion. The emotional weight of that opportunity shouldn’t be underestimated. While other teams would line up with blank checks if he ever hit the open market, the intangible value of legacy, loyalty, and unfinished business could tip the scales in Edmonton’s favor.
Of course, much will depend on the structure and ambition of the offer the Oilers place on the table. McDavid’s current \$12.5 million annual cap hit, while massive, has proven to be a bargain considering his production. A new deal could easily eclipse that number, possibly setting a new NHL benchmark. But money alone won’t seal the deal. McDavid will want assurances about the team’s direction, the strength of the supporting cast, and the commitment to winning now and in the future. He’s seen firsthand how quickly a championship window can close, and he’ll want to know that the franchise is as hungry as he is to hoist the Cup.
That’s where Draisaitl’s own future becomes equally important. His contract is also winding down, and the Oilers face the very real possibility of having to negotiate two massive extensions for their two franchise cornerstones at the same time. The duo has been nearly inseparable on and off the ice, and their chemistry is a big part of what makes Edmonton so dangerous. If the Oilers can secure McDavid first, it sends a strong message to Draisaitl—and to the rest of the league—that the foundation isn’t going anywhere. Conversely, if negotiations stall or rumors begin to swirl, it could introduce uncertainty at a time when the franchise needs clarity.
Fans in Edmonton are well aware of what’s at stake. This isn’t just another offseason storyline—it’s a defining moment in the modern era of the Oilers. The franchise has seen its share of stars leave over the years, from Wayne Gretzky to Mark Messier. The scars of those departures still linger. McDavid represents not only the team’s best hope for success but a chance to rewrite history, to show that a generational talent can spend his entire career in Edmonton and bring the city back to the top of the hockey world.
As the calendar turns to August and Draisaitl says “I do,” the Oilers will quietly shift into a new phase of their offseason—a phase where backroom meetings, agent calls, and organizational strategy take center stage. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the timing couldn’t be more poignant. With every indication pointing to a post-wedding push to lock up McDavid, the coming weeks could define the future of the franchise for the next decade.
One thing is clear: Edmonton is not taking this lightly. The front office knows exactly what McDavid means to the team, the city, and the league. They also know that keeping him in Oilers orange and blue isn’t just about retaining a player—it’s about preserving a legacy, fulfilling a promise, and chasing greatness on their own terms. Stauffer’s update may have been brief, but its implications are enormous. For now, all eyes are on August, and on a wedding that could mark the beginning of the most important negotiation in Edmonton Oilers history.
