It was the announcement we’ve all been waiting for. Connor McDavid, our captain and league’s unanimous Most Valuable Player, has inked a long-term contract extension. McDavid’s second NHL contract will officially be worth $100 million spread over eight years. That’s a cap hit of $12.5 million per season.
As Connor signs his new deal, keeping him in Edmonton for the next eights seasons following the expiration of his entry-level deal in 2018, I can’t help but think about how lucky we are to have him in the first place. When that golden lottery card turned over on April 18th, 2015, things changed for the Edmonton Oilers in almost every way. Instantly, the Oilers were catapulted into relevance and just having his name on the roster gave the team a chance to win on a nightly basis.
Having a player like Connor in the lineup can’t be understated. This guy makes absolutely everyone around him better and there are going to be current and future teammates that will make (have already made?) a truck tonne of money after riding shotgun on his line. Not to mention, having Connor McDavid for a full season contributed greatly to both Todd McLellan and Peter Chiarelli being nominated for NHL Awards.
The point is, Connor McDavid means opportunity for anyone lucky enough associated with him and his contract will be worth every single penny and then some. When you have the best player in the world on your team then you’re going to have to pay for the privilege and that payment will keep Connor McDavid in Edmonton for the next nine seasons. It’s going to be a fun decade of watching our captain grow and develop into, hopefully, one of the all-time greats.
MAKE IT COUNT

When Darren Dreger first broke the news that Connor’s new contract could potentially land in the $14 million ballpark some people started to get nervous, but it was hard to argue that he isn’t worth that much money. Now that the details are officially out, and the fact that he reportedly wanted the deal to be cheaper than what was initially reported is a huge win for the Oilers. In only his second year, Connor McDavid led the NHL in points, took the Oilers to the playoffs, and netted himself both the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award as the most valuable player in the league.
I keep saying it, but that’s a luxury you’re going to have to pay for and the Oilers just dumped a truck load of cash in his bank account to prove it.
While we can (and will) debate about whether or not Peter Chiarelli was wise to invest this much of the salary cap in one player, I think we can all appreciate the fact that we’ll be watching the best player in the world for the next years. Personally, I think Connor will be worth every single penny of this contract and it will be up to Peter Chiarelli to find value contracts to surround him with, because, if he doesn’t, then it’s going to be his neck on the line.
Regardless of what will happen in the future, this is a momentous day for the Edmonton Oilers and the fanbase as we’re now guaranteed over a decade of watching the best player in the world.
Oh captain, my captain.
McDAVID’S CAREER SO FAR
Regular Season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | Lge | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
2015-16 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 45 | 16 | 32 | 48 | 18 | -1 | — | — | — | — | — |
2016-17 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 82 | 30 | 70 | 100 | 26 | 27 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 2 |
NHL Totals | 127 | 46 | 102 | 148 | 44 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 2 |
Hey Toronto, we just signed Connor for 8 more years. Good thing you guys have Austin Matthews and Coach Mike Babcock, suckers!
Perhaps leaving $$ on the table for the good of the team is a not-so-subtle message to Mr. Draisaitl . . .
I was thinking the same thing. I have a feeling that this announcement went ahead in order to move Draisaitl’s negotiations forward.
McD bleeds green for the team.
This is the headline for me. The MAN shows impressive team and fan awareness.
Fair contract at present time for the arguably best player in the league right now, how long before this contract looks like a steal because it sets a new benchmark and free agents aim for 85% of it? I bet that by 2020, this contract looks as crazy as Tavares’ current contract does.
I bet by 4:00 pm July 5th, 2017 this contract looks as crazy as Taveres’ current contract does.
It’s presently 4:43, and I can confirm.
It is now 6:49 and I have confirmation.
Worth every penny!!!!!!! 9 more years. Awesome
If Draisaitl signs for 8.5 the combined two deals would match the cap hits of Toews and Kane (21mil). I could live with that. Just imagine if Chia could get ’em both done for under that, say 7.5 for Drai. That would be magic.
Cheap deal. Worth more than $12.5M per season.
Everything he says and does, its obvious this young man was raised right. I love him.
Whare are those people who were saying Connor was “devestated” to be in Edmonton now?
I meant “devastated.” Curse the lack of an edit feature!
Oiler Domination To Follow
So, if there isn’t already a no-trade clause, can the city of Edmonton request one be added as an amendment? We have some prior experience. If you’d like, you can call it the Pocklington clause.
Katz is a lot of things but he definitely isn’t pocklington. Wouldn’t sell the asset. Too valuable. Selling is short sighted. Keeping is where the value is.
He’s worth it..but I don’t get the people who were distraught over 13.25 are suddenly elated at 12.5??? Lol sheeeep! I’ve said it on here all along this is not the problem contract…Drais contract is the problem
Calgary…….how do you like us now? Can Hamonic and Dougie Hamilton stop McDavid and Draisaitl this year? HAHAHA Calgary’s current cap hit is higher for their forwards, defence and goalies than the Oilers! woooohoooo!
Where is “I am Batman” with his premature proclamations of how we are all fools to think McDavid would leave money on the table for the good of the team? He left a possible TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS for the chance to win, over the ‘money is everything’ mentality that batboy kept spewing on about every chance he could.
That’s what character is!
Wonder if Patty Maroon is interested in the 2.5 million that Connor left on the table to hang around for a few more years? Oh and so sad for the Flames and Leafs (not really), on this beautiful day!!!
That is an interesting idea.
Where was Daryl Katz today? They just signed the cornerstone of their organization, and it was his son that was there. Something this big, you think he would be here for this. Has anyone seen him in Edmonton since before the playoffs?
I honestly think D-Katz is not comfortable in the public eye. It seems he prefers to stay in the background.
Yeah, but he has attended major events and milestones over the last number of years. This is arguably one of the bigger ones. Seems strange to me. Unless he has retreated since that odd story came out back in early April.
Who cares as long as he writes the check.
Busy with a hardhat and jackhammer building towers.
Honestly who cares if our owner is a recluse? As long as he spends to the cap and doesn’t try and move the team, I’m fine with him never being spotted in public again.
No problem with D Katz, he sent 12.5M of his friends to stand in for him.
Always the negative.
Think he learned from the Yakipov draft to leave the hockey decisions to hockey people
In the words of Rick Flair…”Whooooooooooo!”
Love your handle – loved Sammy.
Connor McDavid even made me a better fan…I’m still waiting for the boat-load of cash that comes with that.
Not say’in, but two weeks ago I posted here that he would get $100 million or 12.5 per years . Great number for all parties. In my mind Drisaitl should get no more that $ 7.75 for 8 yrs.
Hope you are correct on your second prediction!
But McD wanted to be a leaf..
Dreger and Seixeiro can borh suck on it! Both are idiots that you wonder how that they still have a job.
So that otta shut them up in Toronto about Connor bolting from Edmonton as soon as he could.
Hey Oilers. Time for the first player to be drafted and retire and oiler. May McDavid be our Yzerman or Sakic. Really the only thing the team hasn’t accomplished. A superstar who stays the entire course with the team. Go McOilers!!!!!!
I hope so!
Katz has that alleged creeper lawsuit against him. Brazilian model crap. Low profile.
97s contract is money in the bank. Oilers will be selling the 97 brand bigtime. Nationaly and Internationaly. Licence to print money.
The people who are happy to see 97 sign in Edmonton today include Gary Bettman and the Calgary Flames. The Flames get 97 3 times this year in the Saddledome.
If you the TML you are thanking Chia. AM step right up.
If your an Oilers hater. Too bad.
For us the fans its a great day.
THE KING OF THE NORTH!!!!!
THE KING IN THE NORTH
Did I read that right? He asked for a cheaper deal? What a classy kid!
FANtastic!!!! A great and memorable day to be an OILERS fan, a sports fan and an Edmontonian!
As he has from day 1 Captain Connor has led by his actions, his commitment and his leadership, the next 9 years will be a wonder to behold for Oilers and all sports fans in our fine city!
To all the haters, trolls, doubters, eastern media, passive aggressive types and just plain miserable folks……….. SUCK IT!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR DEAL CONNOR!!! Hard earned, well deserved!
OILERS DOMINATION IS COMING!!!!! GO OILERS!!!! YAHOO!
Not to sound negative but did u read that idiots write up in the sun ?