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Monday Mailbag: How does Kirill Kaprizov affect Connor McDavid’s contract negotiations?
Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid Photoshop
baggedmilk
Sep 15, 2025, 09:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 14, 2025, 23:29 EDT
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Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to you all. As always, I’ve got a fresh mailbag ready to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their take on whatever’s on your mind. This week, we’re discussing the other Oilers waiting for contracts, Connor McDavid wanting to shoot more, cap compliance, and more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at baggedmilk@oilersnation.com or on Twitter at @jsbmbaggedmilk, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.
Edmonton Oilers Jake Walman
May 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman (96) warms up before game one against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
1) Brendyn asks – I know we’re all waiting on the Connor McDavid extension, but at what point does Stan Bowman have to stop delaying conversations with other pending UFAs like Walman, Ekholm, and Podkolzin?
Zach Laing:
I don’t think there’s any need to rush into those other deals right now. The McDavid contract needs to be sorted out given the amount of cap space it’s to take up.
Baggedmilk:
I would start getting things going with Walman, but I think Ekholm and Podkolzin can probably wait.
Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid
Nov 20, 2023; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with center Leon Draisaitl (29) during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
2) Sleddogg asks – With 97 saying that he wants to shoot more, what would set the over/under at for him this season? I feel that if he scores more than 55 the Oilers will win the cup because he will have finally learned to be assertive, more dangerous, and it will lead to more goals in the playoffs, where we need him the most, and he has been, sadly, shut down in the biggest games of his life.
Zach Laing:
Bet 365 has McDavid to score 40+ goals this year at -110 and him to score 50+ goals at +650. I’m going to have to get on both of those as I love the numbers. Over his career, he’s averaged .51 goals per game, and has had a game with two or more goals, on average, every 6.8 games he’s played. A career 15 percent shooter, he’d need 334 shots on goal to hit 50 this season.
Baggedmilk:
I have him getting 50 again this year, and I think he can absolutely do it if he follows his own desire to shoot the puck more. He’s the best player on the ice, and I love the idea of letting the big dog eat.
Minnesota Wild Kirill Kaprizov
Dec 12, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) calls for the puck against the Edmonton Oilers in the second period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
3) Yves asks – Do you think the report of Kirill Kaprizov turning down a $16m x 8 year contract is affecting the McDavid negotiations? If Kaprisov is being offered $16m then McDavid should be closer to $17-18m, right?
Zach Laing:
That would be my guess as well. I don’t think Kaprizov, Eichel or any high-end forward is going to sign a long-term extension until McDavid does.
Baggedmilk:
Who knows if one has to do with the other. TBH, I really only care what happens with Connor right now.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman
Jun 21, 2019; Vancouver, BC, Canada; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks before the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
4) Geoff asks – Won’t the NHL’s new playoff rules about being cap compliant kill the trade deadline or am I not understanding things properly?
Zach Laing:
I could see it having a bit of an impact, but not as big as some people think. What’s going to be a killer is the rule changes about double retention.
Baggedmilk:
I’m interested to see what happens this year because teams won’t be able to bring back millions of dollars of quality talent for their playoff push. We’ll see. I’m not smart enough to really understand it yet.
Edmonton Oilers prospect Matthew Savoie
Edmonton Oilers prospect Matthew Savoie at the Penticton Young Stars Tournament
5) Nathan asks – Outside of Matt Savoie and Isaac Howard, are there any young players or rookies who you think have a realistic chance of cracking the NHL roster?
Zach Laing:
I think those are the only two.
Baggedmilk:
Is Noah Philp still considered young? Him then.

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