Overview

• Bowman describes early discussions with agent Judd Moldaver as “really good” and stresses respect for McDavid’s decision timeline.
• No formal extension proposal has been tabled yet and Bowman has not committed to a specific negotiation timeline.
• McDavid’s eight-year, $100 million deal, with a $12.5 million average annual value, expires after the 2025-26 season, at which point he could reach unrestricted free agency.
• The 28-year-old star has scored at least 100 points in eight of his 10 NHL seasons and holds five Art Ross and three Hart trophies, boosting his bargaining leverage.
• Some analysts expect McDavid to pursue a shorter-term extension with a higher annual salary around $16 million, but those projections remain speculative.