Edmonton Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman is looking to quickly finalize a new contract for superstar Connor McDavid, aiming to end speculation surrounding his future.
During an interview with Bob Stauffer on CHED 880 Edmonton on Tuesday, Bowman offered insights into the progress of securing the long-term presence of their captain, No. 97, in Alberta`s capital.
“McDavid is integral to our operations here,” Bowman stated. “While I can`t provide a specific timeline, I anticipate engaging in discussions with his representatives shortly, with the goal of finalizing the agreement.”
McDavid became eligible to sign an extension on July 1st and is set to enter the final year of his eight-year, $100-million deal next season.
Despite the looming possibility of unrestricted free agency after the upcoming season, Bowman has allowed McDavid`s camp to dictate the pace of extension negotiations.
“I`ve maintained positive discussions with Judd Moldaver, Connor`s agent, since the season concluded,” Bowman explained on Tuesday. “I`ve made an effort to give Connor his space, which I believe is crucial. It`s largely about respecting the athlete`s preferences and timeline.”
He added, “While we haven`t delved into detailed discussions yet, those conversations are definitely on the horizon. I`m very optimistic based on all the interactions we`ve had so far. We`ll proceed when the timing is right.”
The Oilers have advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for two consecutive seasons, but on both occasions, they were defeated by the Florida Panthers.
In the playoffs, McDavid matched teammate Leon Draisaitl with a league-leading 33 points (seven goals, 26 assists) across 22 games. During the regular season, the 28-year-old also achieved 100 points (26 goals, 74 assists), marking the eighth time in his ten-year career he has reached or surpassed the century mark.
When questioned about his priorities regarding a potential contract extension, McDavid emphasized a single objective.
“Winning is undoubtedly my top priority; it`s the most crucial aspect,” McDavid stated on June 19th during the Oilers` season-ending press conference. “If I believe there`s a strong and consistent opportunity for us to win championships here, then securing an extension won`t be an issue.”
