Overview

• Connor McDavid enters the 2025–26 season with one year left on his deal and no extension in place.
• General manager Stan Bowman said he believes McDavid’s stated goal of winning in Edmonton and that the team is respecting his timeline.
• ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski predicted a team-friendly three-year extension that would align key contracts and preserve flexibility, though no agreement has been reported.
• Commentary from The Hockey Writers argued that a departure by McDavid could encourage greater superstar movement across the NHL, similar to patterns seen in the NBA.
• The debate over McDavid’s future intensified this week as a new column assessed his role in recent playoff shortcomings despite Edmonton’s back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final.