McDavid Extension Rumored Done: Bowman Targets Trade and Oilers Goalie Shakeup

Until Connor McDavid puts pen to paper on a new Edmonton Oilers deal, anything is possible.

But a number of sources like Bob Stauffer, Elliotte Friedman, and Frank Seravalli believe that Connor McDavid will re-sign before training camp next September, and on a three to five-year deal.

Adding fuel to the speculation fire, X user 'NewWorldOilers' even went so far as to say the deal's already done, with the team simply waiting to go public.

The biggest question is McDavid's cap hit. On the free market, the Oilers captain can earn upwards of $50 million annually.

Under the NHL salary cap rules, however, the highest that can be approved if signed today is $19.1 million annually, so $50 million is just a pipe dream in the NHL, but that is his true value.

McDavid is every dollar worth, but his contract necessarily determines Edmonton's Stanley Cup potential. The team is already stretching dollars with Darnell Nurse's large contract and upcoming raises for Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard.

Even if McDavid remains at the conservative end of projections, the Oilers' 2026-27 cap space will remain tight.

That is why roster shuffling is coming up next on the docket. According to 'NewWorldOilers', GM Stan Bowman would like to trade Mattias Janmark next and convince Adam Henrique to waive his no-trade clause in order to create space for added flexibility.

Bowman's focus next will reportedly be fortifying the crease by bringing in a reliable 1B goalie to split time with Stuart Skinner.

Between McDavid's contract extension, possible trades, and goalie search, the next month promises to be one of the most pivotal stretches in Oilers history.