While Connor McDavid has once again shown his loyalty towards the Edmonton Oilers after his new contract is about to put the team first, NHL insider David Pagnotta is skeptical about how long his loyalty will last.

The Oilers captain took his time deciding his future and settled for a two-year, $25 million contract that begins with the 2026-27 season. With an AAV of $12.5 million, it is a value considered too low for the center, and Pagnotta believes McDavid's loyalty will be thoroughly tested if their current level remains.

"How much longer do you think Connor McDavid is going to handle and deal with all the crap in Edmonton?" Pagnotta said on the latest episode of the Hello Hockey show.

"I don't think you can get any more loyal than how Connor McDavid has been for the Oilers. $12.5 million for the next two years... it was a calculated hit for him, because of his loyalty to the Oilers. It's time to reciprocate, and there's still more moves to be made."

McDavid has accomplished almost everything in the NHL at an individual level ever since getting drafted No. 1 overall in the 2015 Draft by the Oilers.

Most notably, he has won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player three times, the Ted Lindsay Award as most outstanding player, as voted by the NHL Players Association, four times and the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer five times.

All that is left for the 29-year-old to set his legacy in gold is to bring the Stanley Cup back to Edmonton for the first time since 1990.

McDavid and the Oilers have come as close as possible to the trophy, making it to the final in the past two seasons but losing both times to the Florida Panthers.

McDavid's contract allows the Oilers financial flexibility, which they need to capitalize on.

Oilers Suggested as Landing Spot for 11-Year Veteran by David Pagnotta

The Oilers have lacked both secondary scoring and an underwhelming defense to take the final leap, and they need to make urgent improvements to honor McDavid's contract.

This off-season, the team has tried to rectify that, and with the departure of Darnell Nurse (and his entire, hefty contract) and the arrival of some intriguing pieces, there’s renewed optimism in Edmonton heading into next season.

However, there are still pieces left to be filled, and Pagnotta has suggested a former Calgary Flame in Anthony Mantha as a player the Oilers could look to sign on a short-term deal.

“Would you take a shot on a two-year deal, I think some teams would,” Pagnotta said. “I think the Oilers might be intrigued by that possibility.”

While there has been no direct contact between the two parties, there’s mutual interest in the possibility of adding the 30-goal-scoring winger.

And who knows, if the price is right, this would be the type of swing that the Oilers should be looking to take given their current situation.

So, do you think Anthony Mantha can be one of the Oilers' key players to drive them into championship territory once again? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Joy Bassy