Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid is reportedly considering a contract approach similar to Auston Matthews‘, who signed a four-year, $53 million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2023. NHL analyst Jim Biringer, speaking on TSN’s Melnick in the Afternoon, indicated that McDavid’s next contract could be shorter term to capitalize on rising salary caps and maximize his earnings.
McDavid’s current agreement with the Oilers runs through the 2025-26 season. If he remains unsigned by July 1, 2025, he will become an unrestricted free agent. Presently, he is on an eight-year, $100 million contract carrying a $12.5 million annual cap hit, although his upcoming deal is expected to come with a considerable pay raise to reflect his elite status.
Rising Salary Cap Encourages Shorter Deals for Top Players
The NHL salary cap currently stands at $95.5 million for this season but projections suggest it could increase to $113.5 million or beyond by the 2027-28 season. This increase presents lucrative opportunities for star players to opt for shorter contracts, betting on substantial salary jumps in the coming years. Biringer explained how this trend influences contract negotiations.
“With the salary cap, taking the increase that we expect it to,” Biringer said. [03:46 onwards] “These huge jumps, especially next year, and then the year after that, where, you know, we’re seeing projections like 113, 120 million salary cap.
“I could see young players saying, hey, you know what? May I take three years? May I take four years? …Now, Auston Matthews was the first guy to do it. Now we’re hearing more and more about it with like, Connor McDavid.”
Biringer suggested that McDavid may avoid a lengthy contract this time, instead opting for a shorter term to maintain flexibility and influence over his situation with the Oilers.
“Yeah,” Biringer said. [07:10 onwards] “I mean, if he (McDavid) takes a two-year deal or three-year deal – what if he only takes a one-year deal and says, ‘Hey guys, I’m putting pressure on you in Edmonton, you’ve got to put us the winner on the ice.'”
By signing a short contract, McDavid could leverage his position to encourage the Oilers to bolster the roster and chase a Stanley Cup immediately, rather than committing long-term without assurances of a championship-caliber team.
Current Edmonton Roster Challenges and McDavid’s Future with the Team
Biringer highlighted that the Oilers’ current lineup is not as strong as the squad that made the Stanley Cup Final two seasons ago, when Edmonton ultimately lost to the Florida Panthers. This roster gap may motivate McDavid to test the team’s commitment over a shorter contract period.
“I think McDavid is going to stay in Edmonton, but I only think he’s going to take a short-term deal,” Biringer said. “I don’t think it’s going to be eight years, like people think. It might be only four years, and he’s going to say, ‘All right, what can you do for me in this short window so we can win and get back there and hoist the Stanley Cup?'”
Despite the uncertainty about contract length, it is widely anticipated that McDavid will remain an Oiler, focusing on immediate team success.
McDavid’s Current Performance and Contract Timeline
During the 2024-25 NHL season, McDavid maintained his elite status by scoring 100 points in 67 games and adding 33 points in 22 playoff contests. Even with these strong performances, the Oilers fell short in the Stanley Cup Final, losing again to the Florida Panthers.
Ahead of being eligible to negotiate a new contract in July 2024, McDavid expressed no urgency to finalize a deal, preferring to take his time after the season concludes.
“I’m going to take some time to regroup,” McDavid said, via NHL.com. “I’m going to talk to my agent a little bit and family and all that, and make some decisions whenever that time comes. But there’s no rush on anything like that.”
McDavid has achieved 1,082 career points, placing him second in Oilers history behind the legendary Wayne Gretzky. His impact extends internationally, helping Canada win the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this year, and he boasts eight seasons with 100 or more points, underscoring his continued dominance on the ice.
Implications of McDavid’s Contract Strategy for the NHL Landscape
The possibility of Connor McDavid adopting a short-term contract similar to Auston Matthews’ model reflects a broader shift among top NHL players aiming to balance maximum earnings with greater control over their careers. As the salary cap rises, star players are increasingly inclined to avoid long-term commitments that could limit future financial gains or flexibility.
For Edmonton, this strategy places added pressure on management to build a competitive roster rapidly, as McDavid’s commitment will be closely linked to the team’s championship prospects. McDavid’s potential short-term deal could serve both as a motivating factor for the Oilers and a strategic move for the player to optimize his trajectory in the prime years of his career.