Oilers' Connor McDavid Opens Up About Re-Setting NHL Market

With his current contract set to expire in two years , Edmonton Oilers superstar forward Connor McDavid was asked whether he feels a responsibility to set a new financial precedent for NHL superstars at the NHL Media Day held on September 11 in Las Vegas.

McDavid acknowledged the potential influence his next contract could have on the league but made clear he will keep his personal priorities at the forefront in negotiations with the Oilers.

“My agent’s sitting over there," McDavid told reporters, via Michael Russo of The Athletic . “I think he’d like for me to say yes. At the end of the day, I’m gonna do what’s best for my family and what’s best for my chance to win, and win many times over again.

“And that’s how I’ll answer that question.”

McDavid’s comments follow the announcement of teammate Leon Draisaitl's humongous eight-year, $112 million contract extension with the franchise.

On top of that, there is an expectation for the NHL's salary cap to rise to approximately $97 million by the time McDavid's deal is up, meaning he could potentially command up to $19.4 million per year (20 percent of the full cap), a significant leap from his current $12.5 million annual average value (AAV).

McDavid’s upcoming contract talks have broader implications, as several NHL stars are also approaching the end of their deals. With McDavid likely to become the highest-paid player in NHL history following the market reset pulled off by Draisaitl, his decision could set a new standard for superstar contracts in the league.

Asked about the same topic, Draisaitl said that it felt natural to him to sign a contract extension worth $14 million AAV. He admitted to having not "necessarily pushed" the franchise to reach that figure, so it's fair to assume McDavid will organically reset the market in two years.

“I don’t think I necessarily pushed my contract all the way to the limit,” Draisaitl said. “But I am very happy with it.

"Compared to other sports, we probably don’t get paid what we deserve... But if we can bump it up and get more money into hockey, I think every player would probably say the same.”

Related: Elliotte Friedman Drops Take on Oilers' Connor McDavid's Future