Speaking to Daniel Nugent-Bowman of the Athletic, McDavid said that above all, his biggest need for his next contract is a winning environment.
If Connor McDavid has the primary concern of winning on his next contract, it follows that he may be willing to sacrifice some salary, which would help a team to build a more complete roster around him under the salary cap.
McDavid took a salary discount on his last contract, and it sounds like he'll be willing to do so again this time. When asked if he was going to reset the market with a high salary this time, McDavid didn't seem too interested.
McDavid is the best player in the NHL, and could command the max amount of salary. At the time of his last contract for $12.5M, the NHL's max salary was $15.9M.
If he's not interested in commanding the highest possible salary, that will reduce the ability of other superstars to claim that they're worth more than Connor McDavid.
After Leon Draisaitl re-signed in Edmonton for the next 8 years this summer, it seems a certainty that McDavid will follow, and the two superstars will play their careers with the Oilers.
It also helps that Oilers CEO Jeff Jackson used to be McDavid's agent, and the two still have a good relationship. Jackson said to Nugent-Bowman he's confident McDavid will re-sign in Edmonton too.
We won't truly know until the deal is completed, but it seems like McDavid is interested in being an Oiler for life, staying with Draisaitl to consistently produce the best numbers in the NHL - and the best chance at a Stanley Cup.
POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 3 | 97 ANSWERS Oilers' Connor McDavid Reveals How His Next Contract Will Affect Other NHL Players Do you think Connor McDavid will sign his next contract with the Edmonton Oilers? | ||
Yes | 85 | 87.6 % |
No | 8 | 8.2 % |
See Results | 4 | 4.1 % |
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