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NHL Insider Gives Oilers Fans One Piece of Advice Amid Connor McDavid Negotiations

Aug 13, 2025 6:45 AM EDT

Contract talks between Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers have yet to start in earnest, with the NHL superstar eligible to sign a contract extension from July 1 on.

NHL insider Frank Seravalli shared the latest details regarding the McDavid-Edmonton situation, making it clear that Oilers fans only have one thing to do, and that’s not to panic.

Speaking on a Bleacher Report livestream on Tuesday, Seravalli emphasized that both sides are deliberately taking their time and that the pace of negotiations is entirely on McDavid’s terms.

Connor McDavid, Oilers Taking Their Time on Extension Talks

McDavid, 28, is entering the final season of his eight-year, $100 million deal signed in 2017. Despite the understandable speculation about his future, considering McDavid’s status as the best active NHL player, Seravalli said no numbers have been exchanged and the process is still in its earliest stages.

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“Ah! Everyone panic! Alarms sounding! People in Edmonton, Alberta, are nervous. Should they be? I don’t think so,” Seravalli said. “Well, my understanding is that numbers haven’t even been exchanged yet. They’re still very early on in the process. Yet, there doesn’t seem to be any hint of nerves, or panic or fear from either the Edmonton Oilers’ side, as best I can tell, and also the McDavid side.

“I’d expect in relatively short order here — whether it’s in the next week or two — that that process will begin to ramp up.”

The rising salary cap is a key factor for the delay in contract talks, let alone in reaching an agreement that suits both sides.

Contract Extension Timeline and Outlook in Connor McDavid’s Hands

According to the NHL’s announcement, the upper limit will be $95.5 million next season, with projections of $113.5 million by 2027–28. That makes a short-term, maximum-dollar contract a likely scenario.

Most experts, including Seravalli, expect McDavid to opt for a short, two-year deal worth in the range of $16 million–$17.5 million annually, allowing him to cash in again once the cap increases in a few years.

According to the insider, the timing of any agreement will depend entirely on the Oilers captain’s decision, as Seravalli made clear that the moment McDavid decides on something, that’d mark the end of this saga.

“The minute that Connor McDavid picks his head up off the pillow and decides he would like to have a contract extension done, that’s the day that it’ll happen,” Seravalli said. “It could be that quick.”