Yesterday, I wrote a column about the idea that Connor McDavid might be growing frustrated with consistently coming so close to winning it all without actually achieving the ultimate goal, which could potentially lead to a departure from Edmonton. I had some fun with the chatter floating around Leafs Nation, where Toronto fans seem steadfast in their belief that McDavid is coming. The post discussed McDavid joining the Toronto Maple Leafs and what a potential trade might look like, should the Oilers decide to maximize their return instead of letting the best player in the world leave for nothing.
Today, I’ll focus on what I believe to be the more likely scenario: McDavid re-signs with the Oilers.
Speculation about his future with the Edmonton Oilers continues to swirl. With McDavid eligible to sign a contract extension as early as July 1—and no deal imminent based on his comments from the team’s end-of-season media availability—there’s understandable anxiety among fans. But according to Elliotte Friedman’s latest 32 Thoughts column, there’s no need to panic if it doesn’t get done immediately. In fact, it might be better for both McDavid and the Oilers if the captain signs a shorter-term extension rather than a long-term commitment.
It seems like the obvious win would be to lock in McDavid long-term. Financially, that’s probably true as the salary cap continues to rise. However, if the priority is winning and being a team that never stops making moves to ice the best roster possible, a short-term deal could be the key to keeping both sides sharp, motivated, and on the same page.
The Case for Short-Term with McDavid
McDavid, who turns 29 in January, is arguably in the prime of his career. He’s already shown loyalty to the Oilers, taking less than the maximum salary during his last extension to give the team more cap flexibility. And there’s a chance he does so again with no indication he’s eager to leave Edmonton. He’s repeatedly spoken about his “unfinished business” after back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final fell just short.
But that doesn’t mean he’s leaving. Nor does it mean he’s guaranteed to stay long-term without conditions.
Related: What Would a McDavid to the Maple Leafs Trade Look Like?
A short-term extension—two or three years—would give McDavid the ability to reassess the organization’s trajectory every few seasons. It would also send a clear message to…
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