The Edmonton Oilers second-best player was set to be an unrestricted free agent next summer. That means the Canadian media, especially the Edmonton media, has been clutching their pearls for at least a year already concerned that he would leave the team and sign elsewhere. Well, that fear has passed as the team announced that the 28-year-old signed an eight-year extension with an AAV of $14 million that will begin with the 2025-26 season. Now the media can get back to criticizing him for not showing up in big games.
The $14 million AAV is significant as it sets a new high for contracts, topping Auston Matthews’ $13.25 AAV that starts this year. With the deal, the German forward hopes to be an “Oiler for life“. As with most high-dollar contracts, most of the money will come in the form of signing bonuses.
Connor McDavid’s deal is up in two more years. Could he top his teammate’s record deal and become the first NHL player to top $20 million a year?
