Connor McDavid is one of the best hockey players in the world currently, despite coming close and missing out on the Stanley Cup and Olympic gold medal in recent years. Connor McDavid is facing an uncertain future in Edmonton after a disappointing first-round playoff exit.

Hockey insider Frank Seravalli reports that McDavid's recent two-year extension functions more like a one-year deal. The Oilers must now decide whether to extend their captain again or pursue a trade. In a recent post on X, NHL Rumor Report (@nhlrumorreport), shared what the insider said on the matter:

“Frank Seravalli: Re Connor McDavid: That two year deal isn't really a two year deal, it's a one year deal...then you reach the question of are you extending…if the answer is I don't know, I don't know how they have any other choice but to try and trade him - Flames Talk (5/4)”.

It simply means that the Oilers will have to make the decision sooner rather than later in regard to either extending McDavid’s contract again or trading him, especially if they don’t perform up to their high standards in the new season.

Otherwise, he will eventually hit free agency in a lose-lose situation for the management beyond the new extension point of the contract. Notably, it was announced in October of last year that McDavid signed a two-year contract extension worth $25 million with the Oilers, effective for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

However, now that Seravalli has stated that it functions more like a one-year deal rather than a full two-year contract, he is likely not to stay in Edmonton forever, even after they selected him as the first overall draft pick 11 years ago.

Connor McDavid called the Oilers “an average team with high expectations” last season

After the Edmonton Oilers exited the NHL in the first round of the playoffs last season against the Anaheim Ducks in six games on April 30, captain Connor McDavid didn’t mince his words about his team. He said to the press, as per AOL website,

“It was tough. We were an average team all year. An average team with high expectations. You're going to be disappointed.” This planted a little seed in the minds of many regarding his future with the Oilers.

When McDavid was asked about his take days later, he not only stood by it but also went further as to why it is so. The Richmond Hill, Ontario native said, as per NHL website, as per NHL’s website,

“ Yeah, I feel the same way. You know, it’s only a couple of days ago I made those comments, so obviously feel the same as I did a couple of days ago, and I agree with Leon (Draisaitl) that the organization as a whole has taken a step back, and that starts with me, starts with Leon. We all can be better, and we all need to be better, yeah,” he added.

Moreover, as far as his individual performances go, McDavid was a shining light for the Oilers on the offensive line last season. He top-scored with 138 points in 82 regular-season games, including 48 goals and the most assists in the league (90).

Oilers GM Stan Bowman already has head coach Kris Knoblauch signed on the new three-year contract starting in the upcoming 2026-27 season. He will now be pushing for McDavid to stay and continue to be an integral part of Edmonton’s rise towards the top once again.

What are your thoughts on this?

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Written by

Arjun Sharma

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi