Make no mistake, McDavid deal means Oilers are on the clock

EDMONTON — The narrative that Connor McDavidâ€s new contract somehow lights a fresh fire under Edmonton Oilers management to surround him with a contending, winning roster should not survive the reality check.

The Oilers have been to two straight Stanley Cup Finals, losing in seven and six games. In the last five years, theyâ€ve played more playoff games — won more playoff games — than every NHL team not named the Florida Panthers.

Theyâ€ve played more playoff games in the past five years than their opening night opponent, the Calgary Flames, have played in the past 20 seasons. Ditto the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Edmonton Oilers are a contender, and have been for some while.

So, why does it feel like theyâ€re suddenly on the clock?

“I think the Edmonton Oilers are on the clock,†said head coach Kris Knoblauch.

Let him explain: “Anytime a team is good, there’s a point where it expires, because the players move on, or get older. (This) team is in a position to succeed because we’ve got a good team, a good group of players, but also because we’ve got a situation where Connor is allowing the team a little more flexibility to address needs.â€

McDavidâ€s new deal is unprecedented, as a 28-year-old superstar in the prime of his career has volunteered to forego a raise and sign an extension for the exact same salary of $12.5 million that he currently earns. As the cap rises, the Oilers will have roughly $6 million in extra dollars each season to spend on players who can help get this thing over the top in Edmonton, once and for all.

But the backside of that is, McDavid is Oilers†property for only three more playoff runs. If they havenâ€t had a parade on Jasper Avenue by then, youâ€ve got to think itâ€s sayonara, McJesus.

“I think everyone understands the situation this room and this organization is in,†McDavid said, on the eve of Wednesdayâ€s season opener, speaking to a giant scrum of reporters in front of his dressing room stall. “We want to win, top to the bottom. Top to the bottom.

“If (this contract) lends urgency, that’s a good byproduct, I guess.â€

As a guy who has spent the better part of the last 35 years writing about this Oilers franchise, I can tell you that there really isnâ€t anything unique left to chronicle here — short of a Stanley Cup.

No writer in any North American sport that we are aware of can say theyâ€ve covered the best player in the game signing a contract that was no richer than the last at this point in his career — and now you can check that box.

“Heâ€s the cornerstone of this organization, the biggest piece that needed to get done,†said Oilers defenceman Jake Walman, whose seven-year deal announced Monday was completely overshadowed by the McDavid contract. “Itâ€s incredible — he could ask for whatever he wanted money-wise.

“When I heard the number, I was like, ‘What an effin†captain we have.â€â€

So whatâ€s left, after two Western Conference championships, all the Art Ross and Hart Trophies, and the feats of magnificence that both McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have provided? There is simply one thing that remains to be done here.

“Realistically, you only need one year. If you play it well, you’re giving yourself a chance,†Draisaitl said on Tuesday. “Weâ€ve got three years to do what we’re chasing, and to get to the ultimate goal.â€

McDavid did not dispute that going to unrestricted free agency next summer had not been a consideration.

“I said everything was on the table, and I meant it,†he said. “But ultimately, our hearts are here in Edmonton. Our hearts are here with the core guys, with the guys in this room, and obviously the city. The fans are important to us, and we want to win here. We want to we want to bring it back here and make our city proud.

“The guys in the room, we’ve been through a lot together. (I want to) see it through together.â€

It was, by all accounts, McDavid and agent Judd Moldaver who came to the table with a zero-raise, two-year deal. Oilers GM Stan Bowman simply had the deal papered, signed it, and will now work toward building a team that McDavid simply cannot bear to walk away from three years from now.

How did he arrive at $12.5 million?

“We weren’t going to sign a long-term deal. So, two years at that number makes a lot of sense,†McDavid said. “It gives us a chance to extend our window here in Edmonton, and Lenny (his dog) is not going to go hungry with that money. We’ll be fine.

“Itâ€s about winning.â€

Edmonton, youâ€re on the clock.

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