Browsing: McDavid

Connor McDavid knows a thing or two about making the championship series.

And even though he isn’t yelling or throwing his remote at the TV, the Edmonton Oilers captain said he’s been locked in on the Toronto Blue Jays’ run to the World Series.

“It’s been really exciting. Really, really exciting to see them go on this run. Such an exciting Game 7, obviously a great hit there. So really excited about the World Series. I think all Canadians are,” said McDavid, who’s from Newmarket, Ont.

McDavid has led his Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final in each of the past two seasons, only to lose to the Florida Panthers both times.

But his more relevant experience might have come in February, when he represented Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off and scored the golden goal in overtime against the U.S.

McDavid likened this Blue Jays post-season to the Toronto Raptors’ 2019 title run, with both the lone Canadian teams in their leagues.

“It kinda brings the whole country together, which is special. That’s what sports is supposed to do, it’s supposed to bring people together, and it’s fun to see everybody come together to support the Jays and the amazing run they’ve been on,” he said.

Come February, McDavid will have the chance to do that himself as NHL players return to the Olympics for the 2026 Games in Italy. He is already among the first six players selected to the Canadian roster.

McDavid added that he didn’t play baseball growing up, but said he has immense respect for the athletes.

“The way they throw the ball it is incredible. Trying to square up a round bat on a round ball coming 100 m.p.h. has to be one of the hardest things to do in sports,” he said, per Jason Gregor of Daily Faceoff.

Game 1 of the World Series is set for Friday at Rogers Centre. Live coverage is available on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ with first pitch set for 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

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The Canadiens have a very exciting situation about to unfold with their horde of young talent.

From Cole Caufield to Lane Hutson to Ivan Demidov to Juraj Slafkovský, it feels inevitable that the Habs will be a menace for years to come. Patrik Laine was a big part of their breakout last season as a weapon on the power play, however, and his legacy as an offensive spark plug could make him a hotly pursued player next summer.

Laine’s elite shot makes him a threat to score any time he’s on the ice, and many contending teams love to have specialists like that in the lineup to make teams pay, especially for taking penalties.

Are there questions about his commitment to defensive play? Yes, 100 percent there are absolutely.

However, Laine is 27 years old, which, when it comes to unrestricted free agency, would make him one of the younger players available to sign. Sure, names like Evgeni Malkin, Mats Zuccarello, Claude Giroux, and Alex Ovechkin make our heads spin at the possibility of them signing somewhere else for a year or two for juicy money, but the likelihood of those guys changing addresses seems really, really low.

Laine would certainly come with a “buyer beware” advisory, but former 30-to-40-goal scorers offer the tantalization of maybe being able to do it again.

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EDMONTON – The Edmonton Oilers’ dressing room had more media than usual for a non-gameday practice, but that was to be expected after the saga about Connor McDavid’s next contract came to an end.

After signing a two-year contract extension on Monday, which carries the same $12.5-million cap hit as the deal he signed eight years ago, McDavid showed that being the highest-paid player in the NHL isn’t a priority.

“I guess it’s a unique situation,” McDavid said. “We weren’t going to sign a long-term deal, so two years at that number makes a lot of sense. It gives us a chance to extend our window here in Edmonton. (Connor and Lauren McDavid’s Bernedoodle) Lenny’s not going to go hungry with that money, so you know, we’ll be fine.

“It’s about winning, and that’s always what I’ve preached. This deal gives both sides what they’re looking for.”

McDavid won’t even have the highest cap hit on the Oilers. Leon Draisaitl leads the way at $14 million, while Minnesota Wild left winger Kirill Kaprizov will lead the NHL next year at $17 million.

Getting the extension signed before the season opener puts the discussion back onto what this team does on the ice, not what his next contract will look like.

“It’s a lot for guys to have to come in here and answer questions for others guys, the coach to be asked about it, the GM to be asked about it every day, so (it’s) nice to get it out of the way,” McDavid said. “No one’s going to talk about it anymore. That obviously plays a factor and myself not wanting to talk about it anymore and wanting to give the Oilers some clarity on what’s going to go down.”

The Oilers Are Clearly On The Clock With Connor McDavid’s Contract Extension
So Connor McDavid, the best hockey player on the planet, willingly chose to give himself a zero percent raise and give himself the third-highest cap hit in the NHL when he could have blown everybody out of the water.

Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch sees the team-friendly contract extension as another example of McDavid’s selfless nature that doesn’t change anyone’s respect level for him. It’s an attitude that Knoblauch’s witnessed well before either he or his captain were at the NHL level and worked together with the OHL’s Erie Otters.

“He’s always the team first, he’s always put his teammates first, and yes, he’s very driven to be the best player every single night when he hits that ice, but he’s very cognizant about his teammates,” Knoblauch said. “I saw that when he was young in Erie, and I see it here.”

After getting to, at most, two wins away from the Stanley Cup in back-to-back seasons, McDavid’s Oilers will now try to get the job done during their window. McDavid is now signed through 2028, while Draisaitl’s under contract through 2033. On defense, Evan Bouchard is signed through 2029, while Nurse’s contract expires in 2030.

The Oilers are at the top of BetMGM‘s Stanley Cup odds leaderboard, at 9.00 (+800).

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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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  Greg WyshynskiOct 6, 2025, 01:02 PM ET

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  Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.

Star center Connor McDavid will remain with the Edmonton Oilers after signing a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $12.5 million, the team announced Monday.

Less than two hours after signing McDavid, the Oilers inked defenseman Jake Walman to a seven-year, $49 million extension that will also start next season.

McDavid made his decision Monday morning, an NHL source told ESPN, and the contract talks were completed within hours.

100-Point SeasonsNo.Wayne Gretzky15Mario Lemieux10Connor McDavid8Marcel Dionne8Before Age 29Pts.Wayne Gretzky1,935Mario Lemieux1,211Steve Yzerman1,122Dale Hawerchuk1,109Connor McDavid1,082McDavid turns 29 on Jan. 13

He was set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season — his 11th with the Oilers — after signing an eight-year, $100 million deal in July 2017. The potential availability of the superstar sparked speculation about his future, but remaining in Edmonton was always seen as the likeliest outcome.

McDavid, 28, is considered by many to be the best hockey player in the world. He has 1,082 points in 712 career games, with 361 goals. He has won five scoring titles and three Hart Trophies as regular-season MVP. In 2024, he became the second skater ever to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in a losing effort.

McDavid has led the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final in two straight seasons, but they’ve lost to the Florida Panthers both times.

“Connor’s commitment to our team and our city is surpassed only by his singular focus on bringing a Stanley Cup back to fans of the Edmonton Oilers,” general manager Stan Bowman said.

McDavid took his time in making a contract decision, sources told ESPN, as he evaluated the contention window for the Oilers. Fellow superstar Leon Draisaitl, 29, signed an eight-year extension with a $14 million AAV in September 2024. Other players such as forwards Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman, as well as defensemen Mattias Ekholm and Darnell Nurse, are over 30. There were also lingering questions about the team’s goaltending, arguably its biggest weakness in those two Cup Final losses.

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Many anticipated McDavid would take a short-term deal with the Oilers to help them remain in their contention window for the next two seasons while he could potentially still become the most coveted free agent in NHL history in summer 2028. There were discussions about a three-year term for McDavid during talks with the Oilers before the sides ultimately landed on two years.

It was also expected that McDavid would take a team-friendly contract — nowhere near Kirill Kaprizov’s recent deal with the Minnesota Wild, which set NHL records for overall value ($136 million) and AAV ($17 million) on an eight-year term.

Our journey here continues 🧡💠pic.twitter.com/7YytCvszz2

— Connor McDavid (@cmcdavid97) October 6, 2025

Walman, who arrived last season in a trade from the San Jose Sharks, provides the Oilers with another puck-moving defenseman in addition to Evan Bouchard. Walman had eight points in 15 games with Edmonton as part of a season that saw him score a career-high 40 points in 65 games between both teams.

Walman, 29, had 10 points in 22 games while averaging a little more than 20 minutes per game in the postseason. His extension means the Oilers have long-term deals in place for three of their top-six defensemen in a group that also includes Nurse and Bouchard, who is entering the first season of a four-year contract worth $10.5 million annually.

ESPN’s Ryan S. Clark contributed to this report.

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Connor McDavid’s contract saga could have some sort of resolution shortly.

The Edmonton Oilers superstar may give his team clarity on his pending free agency before its season opener on Wednesday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Monday’s edition of the 32 Thoughts: The Podcast.

“Reading the tea leaves here, I do think that McDavid wants to give the Oilers clarity before the season begins by either signing or explaining why specifically he wouldn’t sign. So I think we’re gonna have an idea, one way or another, in the next day or two,” Friedman said.

McDavid, the three-time MVP and five-time Art Ross Trophy winner, is scheduled to become a free agent next summer. He has been eligible to sign a contract extension since July 1, but has yet to do so.

The Oilers are coming off back-to-back losses in the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers.

Fellow superstar Kirill Kaprizov, who was also primed to reach free agency next summer, recently signed a record-breaking eight-year, $136-million extension with the Minnesota Wild.

However, McDavid isn’t expected to raise the standard even higher, Friedman reported.

“I think if he does (sign), it’ll to be short term. I’m not even convinced it’s gonna be as long as four years, if he signs. I think it could be less than that. And as I’ve been saying all the way along, I think it’s going to be lower than many people expect, below $16 (million), if he signs. I would be surprised if it’s close to that,” Friedman said.

McDavid, 28, has been consistent when asked about his contract situation that he is focused on winning above all else.

But even with a rising salary cap, the Oilers still must manage player salaries carefully with Leon Draisaitl on the books at $14 million annually, Evan Bouchard at $10.5 million and Darnell Nurse at $9.25 million.

Friedman said McDavid is “well aware” of that dynamic.

“There’s a limit of what he can do with all of those other numbers and I absolutely believe that that has been a factor in whatever conversations he’s having,” Friedman said.

Still, ultimately, Friedman said he believes that McDavid, who has spent his entire career with the Oilers since being drafted first overall in 2015, will wind up signing an extension — even if it’s not for maximum term.

“I think there’s a real loyalty there to the players that either he’s grown up with, the Draisaitls, the Nugent-Hopkins, the Nurses, or the players who have come that he has grown to have a great relationship with, the Ekholms and the Hymans, and that’s why I believe he’s going to sign,” Friedman said.

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Big deals in the modern NHL are becoming the norm. That will force some key players into even more crucial decisions. Should they prioritize earnings as they lock into massive extensions or winning?

Not every star is driven by the same motivation. Players like Alex Ovechkin and Kirill Kaprizov have set precedents of signing monster deals that heavily favor individual wealth, while Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid seem happy to settle for slightly lower average annual values (AAVs) to prolong their teams’ championship windows.

In 2008, Ovechkin negotiated his 13-year, $124 million contract extension —the largest NHL contract at the time —without an agent. His deal was less about a negotiation and more about him walking into the office of the Capitals and putting a number on the table. They gave it to him.

It was a monster deal that worked out for both sides, but it took the Capitals a decade to finally win a Stanley Cup.

Ovechkin had already become a Washington Capitals legend, and the team wasnâ€t about to let him walk away knowing he was the sole reason fans bought tickets. He was invaluable to their market, even if there was a chance the team would be less competitive because it would be harder to build around him.

Ovechkin understandably knew to chase high numbers. His value in that market was undeniable. But anyone who argues he was thinking team first is probably fooling themselves.

Fast forward to this summer, where Kirill Kaprizov’s new eight-year, $136-million contract with the Minnesota Wild guarantees he will earn the most money ever handed out in the NHL. This is a good player, but heâ€s likely not as good as Ovechkin was in his prime. Like the Capitals†great, Kaprizov understands how important he is to the Minnesota market. He played that hand, leveraging another $1 million per season after reportedly turning down $16 million per year.  The challenge for Wild GM Bill Guerin is how to build around a $17 million winger.

Which Pending NHL UFAs Will Kaprizov’s Major Contract Extension Affect?
Minnesota Wild left winger Kirill Kaprizov reset the market this week, signing an eight-year, $136 million extension that carries a $17 million average annual value.

Contrast that to Crosby and McDavid.

Both have already established their legacies to some degree — Crosby with three Stanley Cups in Pittsburgh, McDavid as Edmonton’s face man and a perennial MVP candidate — but their contract decisions suggest an even greater commitment to putting the team in a position to win.

Crosby infamously signed extensions below the maximum amount he could have negotiated, insisting that he wanted the Penguins to be able to retain other star players and remain competitive.

McDavid, who is reportedly negotiating his next contract and has expressed a desire to sign a deal that allows the Oilers to build around him and become legitimate contenders for the next several seasons (which includes adding more impact players), could theoretically take less than Kaprizov.

Both have been and appear willing to forfeit prime earnings in exchange for the possibility of contending for the Cup in his prime years.

Why Connor McDavid Shouldn’t Consider An Oilers Discount After Kaprizov Signing
News that Minnesota Wild superstar left winger Kirill Kaprizov signed an eight-year contract extension Tuesday sent ripple effects throughout the NHL – most notably, in Edmonton, where Oilers dynamo Connor McDavid is in need of a contract extension.

Which Is The Right Direction For a Player To Take?

This is not to suggest that the different mindset among top players means thereâ€s a right and a wrong. Financial security is essential for any athlete. Thereâ€s no knowing how long a career will last, and if the money is available, the popular move might be to take it.

For Ovechkin and Kaprizov, they knew their value and each took the money the team was willing to pay. They left it in the hands of their respective GMs to figure out the rest. In Ovechkinâ€s case, it eventually worked.

The mentality of franchise pillars like Crosby and McDavid might actually be rarer. The new McDavid deal hasnâ€t been announced, and there is a chance it’s higher than people expect; however, insiders believe heâ€ll sign a lower AAV that will surprise most fans. Perhaps following Crosbyâ€s lead, many players wouldnâ€t go this route, even if itâ€s ultimately best for the team.

These two stars have asked their teams to build competitive rosters with the money left on the table. That doesnâ€t always work either. In McDavidâ€s case, his rumored shorter-term deal might be a way for him to continue applying pressure on the Edmonton Oilers to get it right.

Ultimately, the NHL’s stars are motivated by money and championships. The question becomes, which takes priority?

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EDMONTON — Playing on a line with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl may sound like a dream job for Trent Frederic. But heâ€ll tell you, playing alongside Patrice Bergeron in Boston was also a plum assignment.

“I played with Bergy once,†Frederic said on Sunday. “I ran into him and broke his nose.â€

In their first pre-season outing last week, the Edmonton Oilers’ top line was, er, less than stellar. They went minus-3 across the board, no points, and a forgettable pre-season debut, in a 4-1 loss to Seattle.

“You play with the best two players in the world and go minus-3? I was a little nervous tonight,†Frederic laughed after Sundayâ€s win.

The McDavid line dominated a Vancouver Canucks lineup that featured starter Thatcher Demko, four NHL defencemen, and a smattering of regulars at forward, scoring every goal in a 4-3 Oilers victory. Frederic wreaked havoc in the Canucks crease on the first goal, then scored the second one on a rebound of a McDavid shot.

Draisaitl had two goals and four points, McDavid had a goal and two helpers, while Frederic went 1-1-2 — a bounce-back game for what head coach Kris Knoblauch hopes will be the top line on Opening Night, Oct. 8

“Freddieâ€s just got to be able to get them the puck, make plays once in a while, and create chaos in front of the net,†Knoblauch said.

What is the key ingredient for the third wheel on that line?

“Patience,†said Draisaitl. “Sometimes you feel like youâ€re not in the game the way Connor and I play. He just needs to create space, get to the net and (feel like he is) part of it.â€

There is a fine line between retrieving pucks, standing in the crease, helping McDavid and Draisaitl and staying out of their way. Zach Hyman has the gig down, but with him out for a month, itâ€s Frederic who is cramming for the Game 1 test.

“He has a smart hockey mind,†Draisaitl said. “And heâ€s willing to go to the hard areas.â€

Knoblauch said that Vasily Podkolzin will return from his fatherâ€s funeral in Moscow on Tuesday, and will get in the last preseason game, Friday in Seattle. Max Jones will also be healthy enough to get in another game, as well.

With two pre-season games left on the Oilers’ schedule, letâ€s focus down on some key players at camp:

You can see the try in Ike Howardâ€s game. No one is saying he isnâ€t working hard to succeed, or that he thinks success will come easily without putting in the proper effort — but his learning curve may simply be too steep for one pre-season.

Howard skated on a line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Andrew Mangiapane on Sunday, and that line was simply OK against Vancouver. As for Howard, his goal has to be to hold on to pucks at this level, as so far weâ€ve seen a player who struggles to further the play or find elongated touches in open ice.

At one point, he battled and kept a play alive by stripping a Canucks defenceman. The try is there. But the game that got Howard here has not been so evident throughout the pre-season, and itâ€s only going to get harder from here.

The ultimate barometer for a 21-year-old, first-year pro is this: Is his development better served playing top minutes in the AHL, or fighting for ice time at a higher level in the NHL?

Unless the Oilers are willing to stretch this apprenticeship into the regular season, we donâ€t see how some time in Bakersfield would not be the best thing for Howard, based on what weâ€ve seen so far in camp.

Big picture: We are on the record predicting a bounce-back season for the Oilers†26-year-old goalie. Small picture: After a shaky opening start to the pre-season, Skinner was much better in his second start Sunday night.

Skinner was beaten up high off the Frederic turnover, on a centring pass that ricocheted off Ekholmâ€s skate in the low slot, and on a cross-ice one-timer with the Canucks goalie pulled. But he was on the puck, solid with his rebounds, and looked like heâ€s on the path to allowing this scribeâ€s prediction to have a chance of being right.

Samanski isnâ€t going to make the team, OK?

But on a franchise that has dealt away so many draft picks in pursuit of a Stanley Cup, give GM Stan Bowman some credit for filling the funnel with three European free agents who have all shown promise this fall.

Samanski, 23, may well play in the NHL. Not now, but in the next couple of years.

The jury is still out on centre David Tomasek, who we believe will show better as the frenetic state of pre-season hockey polishes up as rosters fill up with NHL veterans.

And defenceman Atro Leppanen had another good showing Sunday, and Knoblauch says heâ€ll get one more preseason start. Heâ€ll also require some AHL time as well, but like the others, you canâ€t say itâ€s impossible to see a scenario in which Leppanen crafts a game that is NHL worthy one day.

Samanski — who was given a shift alongside countryman Draisaitl late in Sundayâ€s game, perhaps a reward for a stellar camp — was robbed of his second pre-season goal by Thatcher Demko in the third period in another responsible outing. If he can make Germanyâ€s Olympic team and gain some experience in Bako, who knows: There may be a six-foot-two, middle-six winger here.

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Edmonton Oilers superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are set to suit up for their first pre-season game on Wednesday night as the team faces the Seattle Kraken. The matchup is available on Sportsnet+ starting at 9 p.m. ET/7 p.m. MT.

With a veteran lineup on home ice, McDavid and Draisaitl will share a line with right winger Trent Frederic.

Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch said Tuesday the plan is to start the regular season with McDavid and Draisaitl playing together.

Frederic will get the first look at the right wing spot while Zach Hyman recovers from wrist surgery, keeping him out until at least November.

“This is what our plan is right now, but obviously that can change,” Knoblauch told reporters. “I think we want to see what we have from everybody else. We want to see how guys mesh.”

“Without Hyman, we’re maybe a little slim on top-six winger talent. And then you have pieces for two lines that you may not really like. I know that when we have Connor and Leon together, you definitely have a line that you like. Right now, we’re trying Freddy, and it might be somebody else, but it’ll work. No matter who they’re with, it works. The other guys can just play their game, whether it’s a checking role or an energy line. We can get more out of those guys.”

Draisaitl had 106 points (52 goals and 54 assists) in 71 games last season, while McDavid had 100 points (26 goals and 74 assists) in 67 games. They both missed time due to injuries.

“Iâ€m obviously always excited to play with him. Itâ€s always a pleasure to be on the same line as him, so weâ€ll see how it goes,” Draisaitl said of McDavid after Wednesday’s skate.

“Weâ€ll see how long it lasts or how the rest of the lines shape up. Thereâ€s some openings for guys to step in and grab it and take it, and thatâ€s what youâ€re looking for, guys to push for that role or for (Hymanâ€s) role while heâ€s gone, so itâ€s always exciting to see how the team shapes up at the end.â€

Meanwhile, goaltender Stuart Skinner will also make his pre-season debut on Wednesday, with Samuel Jonsson serving as backup. Per coach Kris Knoblauch, Skinner is expected to play the full 60 minutes.

The Oilers’ full projected lineup, according to the team, is as follows:

Draisaitl – McDavid – Frederic
Janmark – Lazar – Hutson
Mangiapane – Tomasek – Jarventie
Hamblin – Samanski – Clattenburg

Ekholm – Bouchard
Leppanen – Regula
Millman – Akey

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As contract negotiations between Kirill Kaprizov and the Minnesota Wild continue, an interesting development is occurring. One NHL insider hinted…