The regular season is just hours away, and the Edmonton Oilers are reaching a pressure point in two areas. First, the final roster for opening night appears to involve paper transactions for a couple of waiver ineligible players that will see them sent down to the Bakersfield Condors today. Once the team is compliant, the season will officially begin. At that point, those players will be recalled and the Oilers will have the desired roster moving forward.
I was pleased to see the move by Kris Knoblauch involving Matt Savoie. Skill needs skill and Savoie is the most naturally talented healthy right winger on the roster. Playing him with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins makes sense to me, with Andrew Mangiapane as the other winger. Dandy landing spot for a rookie, plenty of wisdom on that line.
Lots of waiver intrigue today, as a flood of names hit the wire. I imagine there wil be claims, but it would seem to be a distant bell happening for the Oilers. We’ll see.
The big news all are waiting for is the Connor McDavid contract update. Elliotte Friedman mentioned on 32 Thoughts today he thinks the organization will receive an update from the captain before opening night. Does that mean a contract? Does it mean McDavid will confirm this is his last season?
I think it’s good to have clarity before the season. I think it’s fair. McDavid has every right to make his best decision and not be rushed. It will become a distraction without clarity.
If he decides this is his final year, it will become difficult for management and the coaching staff to keep things rolling in some kind of rational order. However, not knowing, in my opinion, would be even more unbearable. for all involved. Sticky wicket. Not fair to any party, but this is a business and McDavid has a right to pursue his dreams and hopes. It’s possible those things have changed in recent years.
We all grow as humans, especially in our 20’s. The Beatles broke up, and people blamed the wives. These men were getting married, had solo projects in the works and may well have been bored with the entire process. John Lennon didn’t like what George Martin did with his songs. George Harrison was writing at a furious clip, far more than two songs an album. It was time.
Maybe it’s Connor McDavid’s time. That’s his right and I respect it. I wish him Godspeed no matter his decision.
On the Lowdown today, we’ll hear from Rachel Kryshak, CTO of Betalytics and ESPN contributor. We’ll also chat to Jason Gregor. McDavid, waivers, Blue Jays, NFL weekend, we’ll have it all. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
New for The Athletic: How Edmonton Oilers could approach waiver wire ahead of regular season
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6691491/2025/10/06/edmonton-oilers-waivers-wire-2025/
The Regula get. This will be fun to watch as it plays out.
#neverindoubt
The official release:
https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/release-oilers-sign-mcdavid-to-two-year-extension
Hmmmm….
JFresh
@JFreshHockey
Hearing that McDavid was on the phone with Mitch + Paul Marner last night where they convinced him to stay in Edmonton instead of going to Toronto. Very emotional conversation, apparently. https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f9e1.svghttps://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f499.svg
Your link is broken.
This is real, I was on the call with all three of them.
I was in tears.
OK, who here had McDavid with a ZERO % pay increase?
The owner might as well pick up the salaries of the analytics team 97 is going to need to ensure the free cap is spent well
I had 9.7, but it wasn’t really serious. Just an imagine if.
Wanted longer term, but that’s already 2 more years of a 12.5 M cap than anyone could reasonably ask for.
Brilliant setup for extending again or moving on next time.
Like people in the media were positive it would be higher than Kiril. I am glad he signed after Kiril. Guerin must be so mad.
Wonder what LT will write about tomorrow?
9 plus million left in the table, that’s a ‘money where your mouth is’ contract if I’ve ever seen one. Way to go Connor!
If I’m an Oiler player, I look at what Connor has done for the team and think, “I’m going to do every single thing in my power to help him win a cup. I’m going to get on the right side of the puck every time, I won’t miss a detail, if it’s Game 7 in the finals I’ll block a puck with my privates (the old Matt Hendricks play), I’ll do whatever it takes to help my captain achieve Lord Stanley.”
Go get the man a goalie already. He put them on the clock. Good for him. A prudent decision both for his legacy and his future finances.
The Oilers are cup favorites as we speak right now. Great chance to win it all.
Then, regardless of what happens this season, the best player in the world – right as the cap jumps to 107 million is staying at 12.5 million, just as the team has a bunch of money coming off the books. All the room in the world to immediately re-tool and bring in even more studs. Following that, if all goes according to plan, 2 more years to try and win it all again and again.
Business is about to pick up. Buckle up and enjoy the ride, all or nothing, 3 years to try to win at least one, if not more. Let’s go!
Also hear Walman at 7 x $7m
No raise, that’ll be 11% of the cap in 2 years. Ridiculous discount he’s given them.
Great day to be an Oiler fan, bad day to be the Irish Whiskey on the top shelf.
12.5 x 2 years. Holy discount Batman. Oilers better put this to good use!!
Time to find a goaltender.
Time for you to find your way back to the Ducks fan blog or whichever team you’re cheering for atm!
Maybe they already have him in Ingram who should get a opportunity once Skinner-Pickard can’t nudge that save percentage over .900 a month into the season.
It is possible. but he’s been up and down.
A more reliable starter would be preferable.
Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
·
2m
2 x $12.5M for McDavid
WHAT THE ACTUAL F
3 years to win a cup, he’s doing the organization a huge favor before he leaves. I can respect that
Holy crap!!! What a guy. And if NHL or players association gets POed, tough. Where were they when all the Panthers signed under market.
I think they got PDO’ed
My first thought, does this create enough space for the team to bring in Crosby after McDavid makes sweet love with him at the Olympics?
wooot to Mcdavid. There was no way this was going to get dragged on into the season.
Wish it was longer.
i would have lost it if his agent cosplaying as GM for a few months lost us Mcdavid
From his point of view keeps his options open down the road if he wants to move on, and at that point can still sign a massive deal.
2 years x 12.5 million per Oilers Twitter
Holy.
Sorry, “X” account.
Ryan Rishaug
@TSNRyanRishaug
·
14s
Hearing sub 14m for 97
WOW WOW
Keep the updates coming for the only guy in earth without social media.
Ryan Rishaug
@TSNRyanRishaug
·
1m
2 years for 97
Short deal but a lot of $$$ coming off the books after this season. Chance to really re-load.
Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
·
31s
Connor McDavid extension, per sources: The short term dela will carry an AAV less than $15M
WOW.
Must be a 1-2 year deal.
Does it feel a bit like July 1 today?
Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
·
1m
This is not the only piece of business Edmonton is doing today
Hearing the Oilers are also closing in on a 7x7M extension with the Pride of Armour Heights, Jake Walman
Saw an article on the Athletic today about New York squandering Aaron Judge and I had to smile a little bit.
Mcdavid you’re an awesome captain and will always be generational lol
Unlock the liquor cabinet we are going to party like it’s 1999.
1997
Mark Spectorhttps://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f1e8-1f1e6.svghttps://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f1fa-1f1e6.svg
@SportsnetSpec
·
6s
Defenceman Jake Walman has agreed to a new deal in EDM as well, that we expect to be announced shortly.
Thinking it will be in the six-year range.
Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
·
47s
Sources: Connor McDavid and the #Oilers have agreed to terms on a contract extension.
LFG
Please be real. This is awesome news for the Oilers and the City of Champions.
Big if true!
#Never in doubt!
Extension signed per Frank
Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
·
43s
Let’s update this: Connor McDavid will be extending with the Edmonton Oilers
Truth be told, if you told me McDavid was leaving the Oilers I would be sad because every meathead in Toronto said it would happen.
But I am not convinced the Oilers drop off the face of the earth, either. Even without a huge return. Thats a massive salary cap gap to fill with a different super star… but more to the point, what happens to this team when it gets back to fundamentals and stops trying to Globetrotter the puck into the net? They’ve actually built a championship level team around McDavid now — he’s the one that didn’t show ip in the past 3 elimination series. It ought to be him at the microphone after the Cup defeat saying “I keep doing the same thing when it matters.. which is underperforming.” Now he wants to teach the organization some lesson on building a winning culture?
This isn’t going to turn out well for player.
Sweet I officially have the last McDavid paranoia post.
For 2 years then it begins again.
Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
Sounds like #Oilers and Connor McDavid have nudged forward conversations on a contract extension – the door is wide open now for a deal to be in place before Edmonton’s season opener.
More now on Frankly Hockey.
Nicely timed post please ignore my posts above and below, potentially.
Was nothing but a fevered nightmare
McDavid needs to do whats best for himself and the team needs to do what is best for itself are the same thing: Sign McDavid to a long enough, none-burdensome contract.
I do find it hard to believe he thinks theres a better chance to win elsewhere. Unless
he’s also working with information we can’t know. Information being withheld. Information pertaining to winning and culture — the later of which has been undermined in the past few years.
Yes like Bowman had no culture of winning in Chicago.
Not what I am referring to. I am speakig to a culture of favouratism and blind eye shown the Panthers.
McDavid needs to do what’s best for himself of course, but the organization needs to do what’s the best for the team.
If he simply plays out the season and leaves his reputation in my opinion is severely diminished as an Oiler.
I also wish him Godspeed no matter his decision.
But I’ll still cry if he leaves…
On the “earned the right” language, I guess so, in a strictly legalistic sense. He is part of a team. He has some obligation to his teammates, no? Perhaps lesser obligation to his fans, after all they just pay his salary, but still… just fans.
— I can’t think of a more “exciting” time between last pre season game and start of season as an oilers fan.
— It would be just so hard for him to say “I’m out” and play out the season.
— At this point JJ knows (as the agent was at Wasserman). Owner knows. Soon us plebs too
— King of shocking we are here : but that’s modern sports. He’s earned this.
— He’s very singularly focused on winning I just saw some video recently where he’s interviewed by his wife. It’s almost comical the degree to which his public persona is wrapped in this.
— He gone IMO…
— my “reverse psychology apparently worked”!!
LFG
“I didn’t sign a contract.” “I don’t care.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ11Ws3tqP0
Prediction: No contract OR one year at $17.5 million.
It does not matter. The Oilers still are best positioned to sign him next July 1.
Embrace the fierce urgency of now.
A big chunk of the team is playing without a contract.
Skinner, Ekholm, Kulak, Walman, Henrique, Pickard, and lesser players.
So McDavid is one more.
Whatcha talking about Willis.
FWIW
A poster I refuse to engage with on this site (there is only one and we all know his many names) posted a 2 Mutts link last night re: McDavid not re-signing before the season. Even though my trust in that pod as a source is low, I will just mention that this morning they posted a definitive statement on FB that McDavid is re-signing in Edmonton today, and the previous negative post was deleted. Again, big grain of salt on that one but thought the change was worth mentioning.
More importantly, this morning with Dusty on EST, Dreger stated he feels better about an extension happening before the start of the season, compared to how he felt before the weekend.
He cited ongoing dialogue between mgmt and agent, which we have heard from multiple sources previously including GM himself has been constant most of the summer, with the difference that McDavid himself has been engaging now over the weekend (if I heard correctly). If so I believe this is significant and am hopeful for the positive side of clarity the LT and Elliotte have noted.
2 Mutts says a contract is getting signed?
Suddenly I feel very pessimistic.
At this point, 2 mutts feel like the old Eklund. McD is signing? Is this an E5?
The Oilers have won 29 playoff games the last two years.
The Athletic gives the Oilers the best chance to win the President’s Trophy.
McDavid wants to win.
How could he possibly want out? What team could possibly give him a better chance of winning? (The key pieces on Florida and Tampa are older than in Edmonton.) And what team could offer him the same influence, with his former agent as POHO?
I hope this is just introspective, intense McDavid taking his time to come to the conclusion that obviously makes sense.
I mean, the stink of losing, the stench of incompetence, has *finally* come off this franchise. That’s the point at which he would think about leaving? It doesn’t make sense.
Ovi didn’t get his Cup by leaving a dominant team that had repeatedly fallen flat in the playoffs.
I think both Carolina and Dallas (less so) offer him a better chance. Carolina has enough cap space this summer to sign him without losing any pieces and they have multiple first round picks to spare to beef up the roster through trade.
Or maybe he just wants to go home, who knows.
It’s going to be a circus and a flushed season if McDavid isn’t resigning.
Agreed. IF he says he is leaving, it contradicts his statement he is committed to winning in Edmonton this year. It would be a shit show. I still think he resigns.( I hope!)
I hope he resigns for 8 years.
— I’ve heard this logic before : I do t buy it: winning and not resigning is consistent. He want to win. Doesn’t preclude winning elsewhere
— It’s kind of a politician line.
Sure he wants to win, yet every different town the Oilers roll into, everytime there’s a media avail, everytime a hockey related segment airs, podcasts, or anything else will all be about where Is McDavid going? Why are the Oilers so awful he doesn’t want to resign? What a complete failure the Oilers are for McDavid to be going elsewhere, yadda yadda.
There’s no winning in such a climate, it will derail everything.
If he has no intention on resigning, strip him of the C, remove him from the PP, play him on the 4th line.
Business is nasty, make it a mess. Every player, member of the coaching staff, member of management, every member of the organization will be suffering from the rights McDavid has earned holding everyone hostage.
Of course it is this is PR if McDavid is leaving it’s for other reasons then winning and he’s earned that right we don’t own him. He’s also the Captain and leader of the franchise if he wants to leave he needs to hand over the C and facilitate a trade where all sides are happy. If McDavid thinks he can sneak out of town like Marner did he doesn’t know Edmonton very well they will roast him like a chicken for the rest of his career.
4 years @ 9.7AAV
I’ll only blame him for not letting the team trade him. This is a team sport, if you’re not all in, get out.
Brave post, anonymous! 🙂
Somewhat agree. Just have one last run with him & can’t recoup anything. With that said, he’ll have put in 11 years in Edmonton. He could have demanded out after 4-5 when there was zero progress.
He doesn’t want to gut the next team he goes to, by being dealt there as opposed to UFA.
It actually makes me wish he wouldn’t have put in the last 8. The return would have been huge and maybe it doesn’t sting so much.
He certainly is no Syd Crosby if that is the case. Also, there is no other team out there that gives him a better chance than the Oilers, he’s kidding himself if he thinks so.
I would agree with that, if he decides that he’s going to move on, the team needs to do what’s best for the team. It’s like a player demanding to be traded but has a limited NMC, if you’re limiting the team’s options then you’ve put them in a poor position to try and get value. Plus you reduce your value at the same time.
3 year coming up. …15, 18, 21 ….will that work?