Connor McDavid enters the final year of his contract with the Edmonton Oilers still undecided about his long-term future but insists his focus remains firmly on winning in Alberta.
The Oilers captain, speaking Wednesday at Hockey Canada’s orientation camp for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, said he intends to be deliberate about any decision regarding an extension.
“I said at the end of June I had every intention to take my time with it and I still feel the same way,” McDavid said. “I’ll take my time and go through everything. I have every intention to win in Edmonton. It’s my only focus, maybe next to winning a gold medal with Canada. I’ll take my time going through it with my family, my agent and everybody involved. We’re going through it slowly.”
Connor McDavid, who signed an eight-year, $100 million deal with Edmonton on July 5, 2017, is eligible for unrestricted free agency at the end of the 2025–26 season. Eligible to negotiate an extension since July 1, he reiterated he has no set timeline, with training camp opening Sept. 17 and the Oilers set to face Calgary on Oct. 8 in their season opener.
“All options are on the table, really,” Connor McDavid said. “We’re going through it. I don’t have a preference either way. I want the group to be as focused and dialed in and ready to roll from Day 1 as much as possible, and we don’t need any distractions. I’m going to take my time with it and that’s it.”
Edmonton’s negotiations will be led by CEO Jeff Jackson, McDavid’s former agent, alongside general manager Stan Bowman. The 28-year-old is widely expected to command the largest average annual value in NHL history with his next deal.
