The Edmonton Oilers are facing a turbulent offseason after yet another painful Stanley Cup Final loss, this time to the Florida Panthers.
While the defeat denied them their first title since 1990, it has also intensified speculation surrounding the future of their franchise cornerstone, Connor McDavid.
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NHL insider Pierre LeBrun has cast a shadow over the Oilers’ outlook by revealing that McDavid may not commit to a long-term extension with the team.
With just one year left on his current contract, McDavid has the potential to become the highest-paid player in NHL history. However, according to LeBrun, the superstar center is likely to pursue a shorter-term deal—possibly in the two- to three-year range—rather than matching the eight-year extension recently inked by teammate Leon Draisaitl.
“I’m in the camp of not believing Connor McDavid will sign an eight-year extension but rather a shorter one,” LeBrun said via The Athletic, indicating that McDavid is keeping his options open beyond Edmonton.
McDavid’s recent comments to the media did little to assure Oilers fans of his long-term intentions. When asked about his future with the club, he stopped short of expressing a desire to remain in Edmonton for the rest of his career, further fueling speculation.
The Oilers have now lost three Stanley Cup Finals since their last title—falling in 2006, 2024, and now 2025. As they reel from another near-miss, the franchise faces a daunting reality: their captain and the face of the NHL could be on the verge of testing free agency in 2026, setting the stage for what could become one of the most dramatic contract sagas in league history.
Unless Edmonton can provide both championship success and compelling reasons for McDavid to stay, the Oilers risk losing their generational talent just as he enters his prime.
