All summer long, it’s been hard to imagine a scenario where Connor McDavid doesn’t put pen to paper on a contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers.

The early assumption was that he would sign a long-term deal, then word came out that a shorter-term deal was on the table, then McDavid himself said last week he was continuing to weigh all his options, though he has “every intention to win in Edmonton.”

Now, there’s “a real possibility” the Oilers enter their season with McDavid, a unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, with a contract extension of any kind in place, TSN’s Ryan Rishaug said Sunday.

“I believe not signing a deal before the start of the season is a real possibility,” Rishaug posted on X. “More real than perhaps thought by many at the end of the season. That’s why we’re hearing a lot about that option right now.

“That said I also believe that decision has not been made yet. He and his agent Judd Moldaver continue to weigh options and it’s still possible he does get something done.”

The proposition of it isn’t serious enough to reach DEFCON 1 — which would be the calendar year turning over without any real indication of what McDavid’s intentions were — but it’s enough to send a chill down the spine of Oilers fans amid a heat wave striking the City of Edmonton. But that chill won’t reduce any of the potential panic that could set in for Oilers fans if McDavid were to enter the season extension-less.

As Rishaug noted, he doesn’t believe there’s been a decision made either way, and there’s still lots of until the regular season opens on October 8th when the Calgary Flames come to town.

The longer McDavid goes unsigned, the bigger the story becomes.

Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.