Overview
- The extension carries a $12.5 million AAV, matching his current cap hit and landing well below Kirill Kaprizov’s recent $17 million benchmark.
- The pact keeps McDavid under team control for three seasons, delaying potential unrestricted free agency until 2028.
- Edmonton announced the agreement two days before its 2025–26 opener against the Flames, closing months of speculation since he became extension‑eligible on July 1.
- GM Stan Bowman praised McDavid’s focus on bringing a Stanley Cup to Edmonton, and the captain confirmed the news with the message, “Our journey here continues.”
- With the NHL cap projected to rise to roughly $104 million in 2026–27 and $113.5 million in 2027–28, analysts say the Oilers have added flexibility but urgent pressure to improve goaltending and depth.