Connor McDavid: ‘remains to be seen’ if he re-signs with Oilers
The saga continues.
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid appeared in the latest edition of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast. To no surprise, he was asked about the current contract negotiations between him and the team.
McDavid, who is currently without a contract after the final season of his eight-year deal, states that he’s trying to stay focused on the present.
“I feel focused on the year,” McDavid said. “My body feels good. I’m excited to get going. I’m excited to get camp going and getting into the routine of things. As far as all that other stuff goes…you know…I’m not focused on it. Playing is the easy part, so we’re getting to the easy part here.”
McDavid has publicly stated that he has “every intention to win in Edmonton,” while also mentioning that he also needs “to do what’s best for me and my family.” With the likelihood that the Richmond Hill, Ont. native will begin training camp this week without an extension, he reiterates that he’s going to be patient when approaching a new deal.
“I’ve said since June, I’m going to take my time with it, and I still intend to do that. That’s a big decision. It’s not something I take lightly or my family takes lightly….Everything in my life’s been building to be here and be in this position and be in this moment. And it’s not something that I’m just going to dream up and decide, you know, I’m going to think it over.”
McDavid addressed how many believed a new contract was going to be wrapped up by July 1, when he was first eligible to sign an extension. The 28-year-old noted that there’s more going on behind the scenes than the public knows of.
“I think everybody’s entitled to think whatever they want. I think people just kind of assumed that things were going to happen, and it just goes to show that not everybody knows exactly what’s going on. My wife and I obviously love being here in Edmonton, and we have every intention, as I said, to win here in Edmonton. I’ve all the faith in the world in this 2025-26 season. Beyond that…still remains to be seen. We have time. It’s our decision…We’ve earned that.”
The Oilers are coming off consecutive defeats in the Stanley Cup Final at the hands of the Florida Panthers. While Edmonton has firepower that can take them deep in the playoffs once again, the loss of players like Connor Brown, Evander Kane, Corey Perry and Viktor Arvidsson leaves many to wonder if the team has the depth to go the distance in McDavid’s final year of his contract.
Hesitantly, McDavid expressed that he has the belief that the current group can find success once again.
“All the pieces are here for 25-26. That’s gonna be a feeling…when the time’s right, the moment’s right. I think it’ll just be a feeling, but as of right now, just excited to get the season going.”