"Nobody expected we would see a Connor McDavid extension coming this Monday morning but that's what we got. Days before the puck drops on this season, McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers agreed on a two-year, $12.5 million average annual value deal. McDavid's "market value" was expected to be $18.8 million. Greg Wyshynski wrote for ESPN that staying in Edmonton seemed like the most likely option and added that McDavid's decision was based off of consideration of Edmonton's cup window."
"What would have been the most anticipated free agency in NHL history next summer has been put on ice. Even more surprising is that McDavid seemingly left millions on the table to stay in Edmonton a little longer. Why sign now for what he did when he did? Were him and the Oilers waiting for the first domino to fall with the cap rising? Was that "first domino" Kirill Kaprizov committing to the Minnesota Wild with a big payday like he did last week?"
Connor McDavid agreed to a two-year contract averaging $12.5 million per season with the Edmonton Oilers shortly before the season began. The deal sat well below an expected market value of about $18.8 million, prompting questions about timing and motivation. Speculation centered on whether the Oilers waited for salary-cap movement or a precedent-setting signing like Kirill Kaprizov's to influence the deal. Comparisons were made to Shohei Ohtani's high-profile MLB free agency, with notes about McDavid likely avoiding that level of media circus. Edmonton's recent back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances placed the team squarely in a championship window.
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