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NHL agents expect McDavid to be the league’s highest-paid player in two years
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Apr 14, 2026, 15:00 EDTUpdated: Apr 14, 2026, 16:17 EDT
On Monday, The Athletic released their annual NHL agent poll, surveying over 20 player representatives on a variety of hot topics.
Unsurprisingly, when asked “Who will be the highest-paid player by 2028-29?”, the majority answered Connor McDavid. Out of 21 responses to that question, 13 pointed to the Edmonton Oilers’ captain. Macklin Celebrini received three votes, Cale Makar got two, while Kirill Kaprizov and Brady Tkachuk each picked up one.
After prolonged contract drama at the start of this season, McDavid signed a two-year team-friendly extension with the Oilers in October. Kicking in next season, he’ll continue to earn an annual salary of $12.5 million, well below his market value as one of the best players in the league.
But don’t expect it to last. In two years time when his contract ends, McDavid will be 31 years old and the league’s salary cap is expected to be at over $113 million–up nearly $20 million from the $95.5 million at which it currently sits. McDavid took a team-friendly figure to remain with the Oilers at least two more years as they try to compete for a Cup. But once that expires, he could cash in big, as speculated one agent in the anonymous poll:
“McDavid will get whatever he wants. I think he’s going to be $20 (million), and I don’t think San Jose is going to give Celebrini that yet. But it wouldn’t surprise me. He’s that good.”
Depending how the next two years go in Edmonton, that next contract may not be with the Oilers. Of course, it’s very early for speculation, but one agent answered the question emphatically with some destinations that are at the top of his mind:
“McDavid’s new contract with the Leafs (or Rangers).”
Comments from agents who selected other responses noted that McDavid is “not in it for the money,” or at least is not seen as the kind of player who will pressure a front office to give him maximum earnings.
Also included in the survey, the Edmonton Oilers received a vote under the question “What is the easiest front office to deal with?” Votes for that question were spread across a number of teams, but the Minnesota Wild took the plurality of votes with five total.
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