The Edmonton Oilers are in a great place right now. They managed to reach the Stanley Cup Final during the spring, and although they lost Game 7 in a devastating fashion, it was a huge step forward for the team.
During the summer, the most notable event was superstar Leon Draisaitl signing a contract extension that will keep him in Edmonton for the next eight years.
This move also signals that Connor McDavid will likely stick around as well. The Oilers’ captain’s contract expires in the summer of 2026, which means he’s eligible to ink a new deal in January 2025.
The fact that Draisaitl committed to Edmonton for eight years probably means he’s been given some indication from McDavid that he’s here for the long run as well.
Connor McDavid met with the media on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming season and his current contract situation. However, he made it clear that he’s not planning to discuss a new contract during the upcoming season.
“It’s something that I’m not going to worry about… it’s a question that I’ll answer once,” McDavid said.
“I’m focused on this year, on being ready for the season, both for myself personally and for the group. That’s where my focus is, not on anything else. All that stuff takes care of itself; it’s not something I’m worried about.”
But McDavid also took a hilarious jab at Edmonton as a city. When you sign a massive contract extension, you’re not just committing to a team but also to a city. McDavid was asked about his thoughts on Edmonton, and he made every reporter laugh.
“For people who don’t know Edmonton, or haven’t experienced it, it’s really easy living. It’s really convenient living. You know, there’s no hour-long drive, no traffic. Although, I mean, the construction could be better,” he said.
