The agent for Edmonton Oilers superstar captain Connor McDavid is explaining why his client took a shorter-term contract at an extremely team friendly AAV considering what he could have gotten elsewhere. The biggest question surrounding the Edmonton Oilers was recently answered, as superstar captain Connor McDavid has been signed to a new contract. But the deal isn't long-term, as it's only a 2 year extension with an extremely team friendly AAV (average annual value) of $12.5 million, $1.5 million less than what fellow star teammate Leon Draisaitl is making and far less than what he could have accepted if he became a UFA next summer. McDavid's agent Judd Moldaver <a href='https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/connor-mcdavids-agent-explains-motivation-behind-short-term-deal-with-oilers/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>recently explained</a> that McDavid wanted to stay in Edmonton and that they both appreciated that the Oilers didn't rush the decision making process. Connor's process was excellent. Since the beginning of the summer, we went through things really methodically. It was important that he was able to take his time with it. While his intention, publicly and privately, has always been one thing - to win a Stanley Cup as an Edmonton Oiler - the timeline to go through that process needed to be his and his alone. It was never about a date circled on a calendar. It was about allowing him to be wisely patient and to think through things. - Judd Moldaver McDavid can still <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/pierre-lebrun-reveals-teams-that-had-their-eyes-on-connor-mcdavid' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>become a UFA</a>, but this time in 2028 rather than next summer. <h3>Connor McDavid will now be a UFA in 2028</h3> Instead of becoming perhaps the most coveted UFA in NHL history next summer, McDavid instead will be sticking around with the Oilers for at least 2 more years following the 2025-26 season. McDavid and the Oilers have gone to the SCF in each of the last two seasons, only to be beaten by the Florida Panthers. Even though Oilers GM Stan Bowman did not make an upgrade to Edmonton's goaltending as many thought he needed to, McDavid still chose to voluntarily extend his contract with the team in hopes they'll not only return to the SCF but get the job done this time.