Thoughts on Connor McDavid’s contract situation

CALGARY — Was putting together some notes on Team Canada bringing together its men’s, women’s and Paralympic hockey hopefuls in Calgary — trying to become the first country to win all three gold medals in one Olympic year.

But Connor McDavid’s contract news overshadowed everything, so let’s pivot.

McDavid, who can be an unrestricted free agent next July 1, reiterated Wednesday that he has “every intention to win in Edmonton,” but added it was not a guarantee he’d sign before the start of the season.

“I’d say all options are on the table. I don’t have a preference either way.”

In the wake of Edmonton’s second consecutive Stanley Cup defeat to Florida, several people who know the Oilers captain much better than I do say he is even more consumed with winning — if that was even possible. Getting so close without lifting the Holy Grail didn’t quench the fire. It created even more hunger.

That’s what this is about. 

McDavid must be convinced the Oilers will continue to be a serious Stanley Cup contender. Any team with he and Leon Draisaitl are high on the list of challengers. But it takes a village, and he wants to see a strong foundation for years to come.

The Oilers don’t see it differently, and everything they’ve done over the past few years is about winning. But, until McDavid signs, there’s something imperfect in his eyes, whether effective youth or strong enough goaltending or something else.

It’s possible he could leave Calgary, go back to Edmonton, meet with the Oilers and say, “I’m good with what I’m hearing, let’s go.” However, he’s now warned us that may not be happening. 

I admit I’m surprised he’d consider not signing before the season. I thought he wouldn’t want Kyle Bukauskas and Bob Stauffer bothering him all year. We’ve seen plenty of players affected by uncertainty, but I don’t think it will impact McDavid. He’s too laser-focused. There are two targets this season — Olympic gold and the Stanley Cup. Nothing will deviate him from that path.

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The bigger question is if it will become a distraction to the players and organization. As long as he’s unsigned, it’s a massive story. You can’t stop the questions, the commentary and the noise in a passionate Canadian market. The Oilers are a strong, mature team. You think they can handle it, but there’s going to be a lot to ignore.

At face value, I take McDavid at his word. He wants to win in Edmonton. I don’t believe he’s thinking about playing anywhere else. It doesn’t matter that making the finals twice in a row is impressive, very hard to do. The Oilers lost. 

Nothing in life is guaranteed. But, he wants to believe that every year he puts on an Oilers jersey, they can win the Stanley Cup.