What McDavid said when asked about his Edmonton Oilers future
Connor McDavid hasn’t put a whole lot of thought into his future with the Edmonton Oilers just yet.
The Oilers met with reporters for their end-of-season media availabilities on Thursday, just two days after falling to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year. While still undoubtedly frustrated by how things played out, several players spent time talking about their futures and the future of this team, and that included their captain.
As is well known, McDavid has just one year remaining on his contract before he’s set to become a UFA next offseason. He is eligible to sign an extension come July 1, but it seems as though he may need a little more time to figure out his next steps.
“It’s only been a couple days since the season ended,” McDavid said. “Take some time to regroup, talk to my agent a little bit, family and all that, and make some decisions whenever that time comes. There’s no rush. No rush on anything like that.”
McDavid had nothing but praise for the Oilers organization and his teammates, particularly the core group that has surrounded him for years. He did, however, say that his decision will come down to what is best for him and his family.
“We’re all in this together, trying to get it over the finish line,” McDavid said. “With that being said, ultimately [I] still need to do what’s best for me and my family. That’s who you have to take care of first. But of course, there’s unfinished business here.”
It goes without saying that losing McDavid would be a massive blow to the Oilers organization, as he helped carry the franchise out of a very ugly decade and has since turned them into a contender. Of course, it would also be a huge blow to Leon Draisaitl, who committed to Edmonton last offseason by signing an eight-year extension.
“I haven’t really talked to Connor about it yet,” Draisaitl said. “There comes a time when we talk about it, but there’s nothing that I can tell you right now that you want to hear or you need to hear. That’s his situation, and he will do what’s best for him and his family.
“Do I want him here forever? Yes, of course. I think everybody does.”
McDavid is coming off another great season in which he hit the 100-point marker for the eighth time, while also recording seven goals and 33 points in 22 playoff games. Should he sign an extension, it will surely be the biggest contract to date in NHL history.
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