New update on Connor McDavid’s future in Edmonton following disappointing first day of free agency

It would be an understatement to say that Oilers’ fans were expecting much more from the franchise on the opening day of Free Agency yesterday. After moving on from Evander Kane, Viktor Arvidsson, Connor Brown and Corey Perry, the Oilers were supposed to make major moves, or at least were expected to.

But it was a disappointing first day of free agency for general manager Stan Bowman, and before he managed to sign forward Andrew Mangiapane on a two-year deal carrying a $3.6M AAV, not much was worth celebrating in Edmonton.

This could have led Oilers insider Ryan Rishaug of TSN to share the latest update on the future of captain Connor McDavid, who is now eligible to sign a contract extension. However, with a second consecutive loss of the Stanley Cup, some insiders are wondering if McDavid will look to stay put in Edmonton. But for now Rishaug reports:

“Late July, early August wouldn’t surprise me [for the timing of the McDavid extension]; I’d think 4 years.”

The plus side so far in Edmonton has been Evan Bouchard’s four-year, $10.5m AAV contract extension signed before the opening of free agency, but now, something else, say significant might have to come McDavid’s way to ensure a long term contract or even an extension at all.

Regardless of what the Oilers haven’t done yet, there is still plenty of time in the offseason to get more done. Including, perhaps, an extension for the captain.