The Kings just made a quiet move that should have Oilers fans watching Connor McDavid closely

Feb 7, 2026 (12:29)

Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

Connor McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers contract ends in 2028, and that countdown is the kind that makes fanbases clench.

The Los Angeles Kings just gave us a loud hint about how teams are planning for that exact summer.

They acquired Artemi Panarin and locked him in on a two-year extension that runs through 2027-28.

That timing is not random, it’s a clean cap exit right before the 2028 free agent window.

In the video clip making the rounds, the idea is simple, L.A. wanted flexibility when the calendar flips.

Here’s the post that sparked it.

-

Now zoom out to Edmonton, because the Oilers already pushed McDavid’s expiry to the end of 2027-28.

He signed a two-year, $25 million extension on October 6, 2025, and it lines up perfectly with that same 2028 runway.

McDavid is doing his part on the ice, 34-62-96 so far in 2025-26.

Oilers fans know this movie, every contender circles and waits for a crack in the door.

The Kings can sell lifestyle, a strong blue line, and a market that doesn’t blink at star power.

If L.A. keeps the books clean in 2028, it can walk into that summer swinging without dumping half the roster first.

And it’s not only McDavid on the horizon, Auston Matthews’ current deal also expires after 2027-28.

Matthews carries a $13.25 million cap hit, and he’s at 26-22-48 in 2025-26.

This is why the next two seasons matter so much for Edmonton, keep winning, keep the room happy, keep the “what if” talk quiet.

Because teams like the Kings aren’t just watching highlights, they’re watching calendars.

Previously on HockeyLatest

POLL
FEVRIER 7\|161 ANSWERS The Kings just made a quiet move that should have Oilers fans watching Connor McDavid closely Should the Edmonton Oilers be worried about Connor McDavid in 2028?
Yes	113	70.2 %
No	48	29.8 %
List of polls