“Do I want him here forever? Yes, we all do,” said Leon Draisaitl on behalf of every Edmonton Oilers fan.
Realistically, who doesn’t want Connor McDavid to stay in Edmonton? Besides any other team in the NHL and their accompanying fan base.
But those on this side of Alberta, they can’t wait for the captain to resign.
Too bad they’ll have to.
As of now, there is no deal finalized between the Oilers and McDavid, much to the chagrin of those wishing to have McDavid secured beyond that July 1 window in 2025, not 2026, where McDavid then becomes—and breathe through this one —a free agent.
There’s no reason to panic… yet… Draisaitl hadn’t signed his extension until September, setting a precedent for longer talks between the stars and their team.
During that time, McDavid might push for certain things and make certain demands.
So what will it take?
Money? McDavid’s not likely to make league maximum ($19 million), but a quiet $15.5 million never hurt anyone.
Reassurance that the Oilers are still a good team? People forget that making it to back-to-back Stanley Cup finals is no small feat.
Leverage? He already has that, but there are a few small things he could do with it before he signs on the dotted line—build a team that he feels can win not one, but multiple Stanley Cups, centred around the core of the Oilers, who, to clarify, are in their prime.
“Our core is not old. Our core is probably in the prime right now in terms of maturity and experiences and all those things,” said Leon Draisaitl. “Do we need to get a little bit younger? Maybe. A little bit faster? Maybe.
“But I think our core group is at an age where we’ve got a lot of juice left.”
What he didn’t say that we can all infer is, the Oilers have time to win a Stanley Cup and are in the best possible shape to do so. Add a few more details here and there, and McDavid will make the same commitment Draisaitl did last September.
Let’s look at what those are.
SIGNINGS.
“(Evan Bouchard’s) incredibly important to the group,” began McDavid. “Definitely a deal that needs to get done and one that is really important for us.”
Important to us, important to him, same thing.
Other signings could include Trent Frederic, who is days away from signing what some believe to be too large of a contract.
Vasily Podkolzin, if only to trade him or use him. The options are endless.
Figure out what to do with Darnell Nurse (no move clause), though, why would he want to leave?
Introduce Matt Savoie to a roster spot. After all, the Oilers traded a roster player (Ryan McLeod) to get him.
What else might the superstar ask for?
Goaltending—we hope.
Extensions for defensemen—we think.
Forwards as deep as the Florida Panthers—we know.
“We don’t need to look very far at what it takes to win, or what it feels like to play against the winning team,” McDavid said. “The hockey at the 4 Nations was the best hockey I’ve ever been a part of at that level, and a close second would be that Florida team we just played.
“There are levels to everything, and Florida has reached a real high level. Lots we can learn from.”
Meaning, there are lots that the Panthers have that the Oilers should do this offseason.
Capitalize on trades, utilize unrestricted free agency, and make support players Stanley Cup winners.
If said boxes get checked, then yeah, McDavid could resign, just not for eight years.
He could sign for two or four years, similar to Austin Mathews. Both have/had the same I’m not rushing anything approach with the same agent, Judd Moldaver.
Hey, it worked for the former.
If all else goes the same, then McDavid is staring down the barrel of another four years with the Oilers, making him 33 when that contract expires.
Not to mention, an Oiler for 14 years.
If McDavid can say that after 14 years, the Oilers didn’t surround him with a team capable of winning the Stanley Cup, then maybe it’s time.
All things to consider as McDavid pushes buttons and buys his time before signing a contract, whenever and with whomever it may be.
