It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. The off-season has begun, but the chatter surrounding rumours has intensified. We’ve already seen general managers get off to a fast start with signings and trades. However, some big storylines will happen once July 1 rolls around. Some big names an sign extensions, but those may not come with the start of the free agency period.
One team that needs to sign one of their key players is the Edmonton Oilers. This edition of NHL rumours deals with a star player eligible for a big-time extension on July 1.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Update on Extension for Edmonton Oilers Superstar
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman gave his thoughts on what Connor McDavid said during his season-end media availability. This was during a recent edition of 32 Thoughts. McDavid said he’ll wait and see before signing an extension that he’s eligible for on July 1.
Analysis: The initial statement might be panic-inducing for Oilers fans. However, Friedman was quick to quell that noise. Edmonton didn’t get an extension done for Leon Draisaitl until September 3. It seems that Oilers’ brass is willing to let things play out before taking care of business.
One other factor is that McDavid’s agent is Judd Moldaver, who also represents Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Matthews didn’t sign until August 23 two summers ago. This mans Moldaver is also willing to wait.
McDavid did he’d say signing is no problem if there’s a good window. This means the onus likely falls to Edmonton General Manager Stan Bowman in the off-season. The Oilers need to get a deal done for defenceman Evan Bouchard. However, that’s going to take up a good chunk of cap space.
Edmonton does have work to do and needs to sign some players. However, Bowman has to get creative to indicate that he’s done enough work to keep McDavid in the fold.
What It Means
One wonders what the cap hit will be for McDavid. The Oilers captain did give a hometown discount in his last contract. He could have asked for 20-percent of the cap. However, he decided on $12.5 million after initially agreeing to a $13.33 million per season contract.
Draisaitl’s deal of $14 million will kick in this coming season and that means McDavid will likely get more. However, the question is how much will he command. One wouldn’t blame with asking for up to $17 million. However, it doesn’t seem that he’ll demand that figure.
It’s likely that he’ll agree to something lower to give the team some flexibility moving forward. However, McDavid could also not agree to a maximum eight-year extension. The salary cap is going way up and is likely to continue that trajectory.
Signing a deal with middle-length term could give McDavid another chance to evaluate where things stand in a few years time. Matthews did the same thing with the Leafs and that’s something McDavid could do.
Oilers fans shouldn’t panic, but their minds will likely wander the longer the wait drags on. “McDavid Watch” will likely be one of the summer’s biggest storylines.
Main photo by: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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