The Clock Is Ticking: Why the Edmonton Oilers Should Be Deeply Concerned About Connor McDavid’s Future and Contract Extension
The Edmonton Oilers should be worried—deeply, genuinely worried—about Connor McDavid’s future with the franchise. Not because of some rumor mill noise or vague speculation from media talking heads, but because of cold reality: his contract is set to expire in 2026, and the best player on Earth has given no public indication that he is ready to re-up long-term. For a franchise that has been both gifted and saved by McDavid’s brilliance, the possibility of losing him isn’t just a threat—it’s a looming existential crisis.
McDavid signed his current eight-year, $100 million contract back in 2017, a deal that was seen as a hometown discount at the time, considering his transcendent skill and marketability. At $12.5 million per year, he remained the highest-paid player in the league for years, but in terms of value-to-dollar, he’s been a bargain. He has led the NHL in scoring multiple times, collected MVPs, Art Ross Trophies, and Hart Trophies, and routinely performs at a level no one else in the league can match. He’s carried the Oilers through periods of inconsistency, poor defensive structure, weak goaltending, and subpar depth. His presence alone elevated the franchise from a national punchline to a perennial playoff team and Stanley Cup contender.
But McDavid has also endured more than his share of frustration. Since entering the NHL in 2015, he’s yet to hoist the Stanley Cup. While the Oilers have made strides in recent seasons—including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2022 and a Finals appearance in 2024—they haven’t gotten over the ultimate hump. And for a generational talent entering his prime, the clock is ticking louder than ever.
From the Oilers’ perspective, the worry isn’t just about whether McDavid wants to stay. It’s about whether they’ve done enough to convince him this is the right place to win—now and in the future. McDavid is hyper-competitive. He wants to win badly, and losing eats at him. Every post-elimination press conference is more revealing than the last. His disappointment is never masked. His answers are measured but heavy with meaning. And through the years, a subtle narrative has grown louder: How long will Connor McDavid be willing to wait?
Edmonton’s front office is surely aware of the stakes. General manager Ken Holland’s tenure has seen significant roster improvements, including the emergence of Leon Draisaitl, strong drafting, and key trade acquisitions. But there’s still reason for concern. The team remains top-heavy, reliant on the heroics of McDavid and Draisaitl to carry disproportionate weight. Depth scoring has been streaky. Defensive lapses have cost them crucial games. Goaltending has improved but remains far from elite. And their cap situation is tight, with little room for error.
Compounding the anxiety is Draisaitl’s own contract situation. His deal expires in 2025—one year before McDavid’s. If Draisaitl leaves, what message does that send to McDavid? The two superstars have a unique chemistry, on and off the ice. They’ve grown together, shouldered the franchise together, and pushed each other to greatness. A Draisaitl departure would likely shake McDavid’s faith in the team’s direction. And once that faith begins to erode, it’s difficult to rebuild.
The Oilers can start negotiating an extension with McDavid on July 1, 2025, a full year before he hits unrestricted free agency. That date is now less than a year away. If Edmonton doesn’t have clarity by then—or worse, if McDavid is non-committal—it could send the entire organization into panic mode. Fans, media, and league insiders would read every word, every quote, every shift as a sign. The speculation would become unbearable. And for a player like McDavid, who values focus and performance, the sideshow could become a distraction.
That’s why waiting is a mistake. The Oilers must be proactive. They need to create an environment so compelling, so aligned with McDavid’s ambitions, that re-signing becomes the obvious choice. That means smart roster decisions. That means retaining Draisaitl if possible. That means maximizing every window—now.
The fear isn’t just about losing McDavid to another team. It’s about what his departure would signify: the failure of an era that should have been glorious. Imagine drafting the best player of his generation and letting him walk because you couldn’t build a contender around him. Imagine explaining that to your fan base. Imagine trying to sell tickets, merchandise, and hope after that.
Some will argue McDavid is loyal, that he’s not the type to abandon the franchise that drafted him. That he’s embedded in the community. That he cares too much to leave. But loyalty in sports is a two-way street. Even the most devoted players have breaking points when their dreams aren’t realized. And McDavid doesn’t owe Edmonton anything beyond the historic performance he’s already delivered. If he decides to chase a Cup elsewhere, it will be hard to blame him.
The Oilers have had nine full seasons of McDavid already. Nine years to surround him with the right support. And while there have been legitimate strides, the goal remains unmet. How many more years does he give them? One? Two? Or does he start thinking—like others before him—that he might be better off elsewhere?
There’s also the issue of legacy. McDavid is well aware of his place in hockey history. He doesn’t just want to be great—he wants to be remembered among the all-time greats: Gretzky, Lemieux, Crosby. All of them won Cups. All of them were faces of dynasties or iconic champions. For all his individual accolades, McDavid knows greatness is ultimately defined by winning. It’s the missing line on his resumé. And it weighs heavily.
If Edmonton can’t promise that—if they can’t prove, now, that they are on a trajectory toward championship success—then they risk losing the best thing that’s happened to the franchise since the 1980s. And even a no-movement clause can’t hold a player hostage forever. If McDavid wants out, it won’t be a question of “if” the Oilers move him, but “when” and “for what return.”
So what should the Oilers do? First, they must treat the 2025 season as a do-or-die campaign. Every transaction must be made with an eye toward winning now. Every trade, every signing, every decision must support the short-term goal of deep playoff success. That doesn’t mean abandoning the future, but it does mean prioritizing the present in a way they never have before. Second, they must open dialogue with McDavid early and often. Transparency is key. If he has concerns, listen. If he has preferences, consider them. He has earned that right.
Third, ownership must step in. A message must be sent—not just to McDavid, but to the hockey world—that Edmonton will spare no expense, leave no stone unturned, in their quest to keep and win with their superstar. That means taking financial risks. That means bold decisions. Because the cost of inaction—or miscalculation—is far greater than any short-term gamble.
Ultimately, McDavid’s decision will be personal. He’ll weigh loyalty, opportunity, legacy, and lifestyle. But the Oilers can influence that decision by being aggressive, competent, and committed. They have the advantage of time—barely. But that window is closing, and once July 1, 2025 arrives, the countdown will become deafening.
Edmonton’s future hangs in the balance. Not just in terms of wins and losses, but in terms of identity. Connor McDavid is more than a player. He is a symbol, a promise, a generational gift. Letting that slip away—by complacency, by missteps, or by assuming loyalty will carry the day—would be a failure not just of management, but of vision.
The Oilers have a chance to rewrite their story. To move from a team defined by wasted potential and near-misses to one that delivers on the greatness McDavid represents. But that chance won’t last forever. The time to act is now—before it’s too late.
