Sports
Connor McDavid’s Stunning $25M Oilers Betrayal!
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Connor McDavid signs a 2-year, $25M extension with the @EdmontonOilers 🤯
In a move that defies the very logic of the modern NHL salary market, the Edmonton Oilers and their captain, Connor McDavid, have agreed to a two-year, $25 million contract extension. The deal, announced just days before the season opener, ensures the world’s best player remains in Edmonton at a staggering discount, keeping his salary cap hit at $12.5 million.
This decision comes as a shock to the hockey world, especially less than a week after Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov reset the market with a record-setting eight-year, $136 million contract, which carries an average annual value (AAV) of $17 million. By comparison, McDavid has clearly and deliberately left millions of dollars on the table.
In an era where players are constantly pushing the financial ceiling, McDavid’s extension is a powerful statement. He will continue to play under the same $12.5 million cap hit from his current eight-year, $100 million deal signed back in 2017, a figure now well below his market value.
A Commitment to Winning Above Wealth
The motivation behind this team-friendly deal is crystal clear: winning the Stanley Cup.
“Connor’s commitment to our team and our city is surpassed only by his singular focus on bringing a Stanley Cup back to fans of the Edmonton Oilers,” General Manager Stan Bowman said in the team’s official statement.
This sentiment echoes McDavid’s own stance from this past June. Following a second consecutive heartbreaking loss in the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers, the 28-year-old superstar stated that he wanted to see a “commitment to winning” before engaging in extension talks. This new contract suggests those assurances were met, allowing the Oilers to preserve crucial cap space to build a more competitive roster around their generational talent.
The agreement brings a swift end to what could have been a major season-long distraction. Just last week, Bowman was publicly non-committal about avoiding a scenario where McDavid would enter the season as a pending unrestricted free agent.
A Generational Talent’s Legacy
McDavid isn’t just any player; he is a three-time Hart Trophy winner as league MVP and has led the NHL in scoring in five of his ten seasons. His on-ice production remains otherworldly; last season, he recorded 26 goals and 100 points in just 67 games, followed by a dominant playoff performance of seven goals and 33 points in 22 games.
By taking less money, McDavid isn’t just betting on his team; he is actively shaping his legacy. The narrative is no longer just about his incredible individual accolades but about his ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of the sport’s ultimate prize.
With the contract situation resolved, the focus now returns to the ice. The Oilers open their 2025-26 season Wednesday, hosting the Calgary Flames, with their captain’s future securely locked in and a city’s hopes higher than ever.