Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers once again came up just short in the Stanley Cup Final last season. Once again, they fell to the Florida Panthers.
In two straight years, the Oilers have made a run to the Stanley Cup Final. Two years ago, they were defeated by the Panthers in seven games. Last season, they were eliminated in six games.
Losing in back-to-back years just a win or two short of a championship is incredibly frustrating. However, McDavid and company are focused on once again getting back to that point and this time pulling off a win during the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Heading into the upcoming campaign, McDavid’s future with Edmonton has become a major storyline.
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McDavid is set to play in the final year of his contract with the Oilers. While the team would like to keep him around long-term, there has been speculation that he could consider the option of signing with another franchise.
That being said, a new update has shared a potential surprising outcome to the situation.
NHL insider John Shannon recently appeared on the “Oilers Now” podcast and shared his thoughts on McDavid’s impending free agency. He thinks that the superstar center could stay in town and help the team financially in the process.
“I think it’s going to be a three or four-year deal,” Shannon said. “Connor’s entitled to 20 percent (of the salary cap), but I also think Connor’s smart enough to know if he gets too much, that’s less to acquire free agents and other players for this hockey club. And that’s what superstars do that want to win Stanley Cups—they sacrifice.”
Needless to say, that would be an ideal scenario for Edmonton. Being able to keep McDavid and have him help with financial relief to make other moves would be crucial to continuing the Oilers’ pursuit of a championship.
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During the 2024-25 NHL season in Edmonton, McDavid played in 67 games. He scored 26 goals to go along with 74 assists for a total of 100 points and also shot 13.3 percent.
There are few players even on the same tier of superstar status as McDavid in the NHL right now. If he were to choose to stay with the Oilers and give up money for them to make extra moves, he would clearly separate himself as the ultimate team player and leader.
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