McDavid answers contract questions in first Edmonton Oilers media scrum of the season
Connor McDavid is continuing to weigh his options when it comes to his future with the Edmonton Oilers.
The Oilers captain spoke in a media scrum after a skate on Friday morning. As was the case when he met with reporters in Calgary for Canada’s Olympic orientation camp last week, McDavid continued to mention that he needs to be sure he’s making the right decision not only for himself, but also for his family.
“When you’re trying to plan the next three, four, six, seven, nine years of your life, you don’t just dream it up in one day,” McDavid said. “You take your time. Talk it over, think about it some more, talk it over again. It’s not something that I take lightly; it’s not something that my family takes lightly.
“I’ve put everything I have into this, into my career, just like everybody here. You only get one chance to do it and to do it right. That leads to taking your time with it.”
While McDavid hasn’t given any particular reasons for why this has dragged out, some have speculated that concerns over the future of the Oilers could be playing a part in things.
Though they are very much a Stanley Cup contender at this time, an aging core group means that management will need to make the right adjustments in the years to come to continue having success.
“The core guys are still here, maybe a couple changes here or there, but the core guys that have made a few runs at it are here and know what it takes,” McDavid said. “They know what that disappointment feels like and know how motivated we are. That gives you lots of confidence in this season. Beyond that remains to be seen.”
One of the big talking points when it comes to a potential McDavid extension is the term. Though he’s eligible to sign an eight-year deal with the Oilers, there has been speculation that he could opt for a shorter deal. While he didn’t get into the finer details of that, he did make it clear that he’s looking to earn the money he feels he deserves.
“I’m trying to come up with a solution that works for everybody. I’ve put everything I have into this, and deserve to be paid what I feel is fair. With that being said, there’s a salary cap, and my only desire is to win. Trying to figure out that balance is tricky.”
McDavid’s teammate, Leon Draisaitl, is set to have the NHL’s highest cap hit this coming season at $14 million thanks to an eight-year extension he inked last summer. McDavid will, in all likelihood, exceed that amount, with many expecting him to sign for at least $16 million annually.
Whether that deal comes with the Oilers or elsewhere will continue to be speculated on, but it’s clear based on the comments he’s made this far that he’s not going to tip his hand one way or the other when speaking to the media.
- You might also like:
- Derek Ryan criticizes Edmonton Oilers management