Report: The Real Reason Connor McDavid Won't Sign an Extension in Edmonton May Be Impossible for Oilers to Fix
Connor McDavid is seemingly hesitant to sign a new contract, and now it's been revealed that the reason is due to the team's ageing roster.
This whole off-season in Edmonton has been built around keeping Connor McDavid, with the team getting some new pieces in after back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals runs, all in order to build a winning squad around their captain.
However, to this point, the team haven't been able to come to terms on a new deal with their superstar leader, with reports that this is even holding up a new contract for defenseman Jake Walman.
Oilers roster a cause for concern with McDavid
That's left some in Edmonton very anxious over the future, but on the bright side, the holdup in negotiations is neither based around term nor money, but rather, another source according to Chris Johnston.
"His biggest point of reticence, per league sources, remains an aging roster, which he believes can contend again in 2025-26 but which doesn't look to be constructed to sustain a championship level over the long term. And he more or less said as much publicly in June, telling reporters, 'If I feel that there's a good window to win here over and over again, then signing is no problem.'"
McDavid seemingly sees this as a competitive team in the immediate future, but beyond Evan Bouchard and Leon Draisaitl, the lack of stars on this team that can help them contend beyond 2025/26 could be a major issue for No. 97.
As of late, there's been plenty of worry about McDavid, but for now, Oilers fans remain confident that a short-term extension can get done to keep their former No. 1 overall pick in town.
Ultimately though, if he does have concerns over this roster, there's little room for them to change things moving forward, leaving the door slightly ajar for the possibility that he departs at some point.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 17|438 ANSWERS Report: The Real Reason Connor McDavid Won't Sign an Extension in Edmonton May Be Impossible for Oilers to Fix Will Connor McDavid's next contract be with the Edmonton Oilers? | ||
| Yes | 254 | 58 % |
| No | 184 | 42 % |
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