Connor McDavid contract update: Oilers CEO admits ‘not nervous’ despite extension delay

Connor McDavid’s future with the Edmonton Oilers has dominated NHL headlines, but team CEO and president of hockey operations Jeff Jackson insists there is no panic inside the organization. With McDavid entering the final year of his contract, Jackson made it clear the Oilers remain confident their captain will commit to Edmonton long term.Speaking on Edmonton’s Oilers Now radio show, Jackson dismissed speculation that the Oilers are worried about negotiations dragging on. “We’re not nervous about it,” he said, emphasizing that McDavid’s loyalty and commitment to winning in Edmonton outweigh the contract chatter.McDavid, now 28, became eligible to sign a new deal on July 1 but has chosen patience over rushing into an extension. While attending Hockey Canada’s 2025 Orientation Camp, he reiterated that his only focus is leading the Oilers to a Stanley Cup. “I have every intention to win in Edmonton,” McDavid said, noting that discussions with his family and agent are ongoing.The superstar is entering the final season of his eight-year, $100 million contract signed in 2017. Since then, he has established himself as one of the greatest players of his generation, winning three Hart Trophies, five Art Ross titles, and, most recently, the 2024 Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He also became the fourth-fastest player in NHL history to reach 1,000 career points.Jackson, who represented McDavid as his agent before joining the Oilers’ front office in 2023, said he remains in constant communication with McDavid’s camp. He revealed that multiple contract options are on the table and expressed confidence that a deal will be reached before long.For McDavid, the focus remains unfinished business. He recorded 100 points last season and added 33 more in the playoffs, carrying Edmonton to a second straight Stanley Cup Final. Despite back-to-back losses to the Florida Panthers, the Oilers believe their championship window is wide open and McDavid is the cornerstone.Jackson summed it up best: “Our team has been very good the last two years, and we’re going to be a very good team again. For him, there’s comfort in Edmonton and with the people running the team, so we’re not nervous.”Also Read: Connor McDavid turns Chef for wife Lauren, scores 10 on 10 for romantic dinnerFor Oilers fans, while the wait for a contract extension continues, confidence within the organization remains sky-high that McDavid will stay in Edmonton.