Connor McDavid’s agent asking Oilers tough questions during first contract meeting

Work on an extension for captain Connor McDavid has begun for the Edmonton Oilers’ management group. TSN’s Ryan Rishaug reported that general manager Stan Bowman and CEO of hockey operations Jeff Jackson travelled to Ontario to meet with McDavid’s agent Judd Moldaver on Tuesday.

However, it sounds like they will need to convince McDavid’s camp first that the future is bright in Edmonton. Which means getting that darn Stanley Cup.

“Sounds like Stan Bowman and Jeff Jackson are in Ontario, and meetings have begun with McDavids agent Judd Moldaver. Broader discussions about the organization and direction are the starting point. Again, would expect this to push well past July 1st as the two sides take their time working their way through different aspects of the negotiations. My sense is there are no numbers being tossed around at this point, but bigger picture discussions under way.”

In his exit interview last week, McDavid admited he will take some time to accept losing his second consecutive Stanley Cup Final before turning his attention to a potential contract extension. He is eligible to sign an extension as of July 1 before playing out the final season of an eight-year, $100-million contract in 2025-26. He would otherwise become the most coveted free agent of the 2026 class if he doesn’t sign a deal before then…

McDavid is the face of the franchise and fans are hoping to see him re-sign, just like close friend and star temmate Leon Draisaitl did last summer when he inked a contract worth $14M AAV through 2032-33. The Oilers enter this off-season with just under $12 million in cap space to play with, per Puck Pedia, but must also get a massive extension done with restricted free agent blue liner Evan Bouchard.

For now, GM Bowman and the Oilers executives are willing to wait for McDavid as “he’s earned the right for us to be respectful of his timing.”

There is no doubt however that McDavid has made it clear on what his focus is on when committing to his future on his next deal. His first career Stanley Cup trumps all else.

“Winning would be at the top of the list,” McDavid said. “It’s the most important thing. If I feel that there’s a good window to win here, over and over again, then signing is no problem.”

The conversation has started, but I doubt a resolution on a potential extension will come early into the offseason.

Better be patient.