‘I have every intention to win in Edmonton’: Connor McDavid reacts to contract talks

While it doesn’t seem like any headway has been made regarding a potential contract extension between forward Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, No. 97 has made a statement that he wants to bring a championship to the city he has called home for a decade.

At Canada’s Olympic Orientation camp, McDavid was asked about his current contract situation. While the Oilers captain didn’t reveal any details, he did state victory in Edmonton is something he desires.

“I have every intention to win in Edmonton,” McDavid told the media in Calgary on Wednesday. “That’s my only focus, next to winning the gold medal with Canada…taking my time going through it with my family, my agent, everybody involved.”

The Richmond Hill, Ont. native confirmed that he’s willing to take his time with contract talks, saying that he’s indifferent about signing before or after the 2025-26 regular season begins. However, McDavid would prefer his status not draw attention away from the on-ice play.

“All options are on the table. I don’t have a preference either way. I want the group to be as focused and dialed in, and ready to roll as possible. We don’t need any distractions.”

The negotiations between the superstar and the team have been a topic of discussion even before McDavid became eligible to sign an extension on July 1. Despite no deal being reached yet, there isn’t a sense of panic from the Oilers’ brass.

During an interview with The Sheet host Jeff Marek, Edmonton general manager Jeff Jackson, McDavid’s former agent, relayed the amount of patience he and his staff have had working with McDavid and his camp.

It’ll be unlike any other negotiation because it’s not really,” Jackson said. “I think that when Connor is ready, we’ll have the discussion and we’ll get a deal done.”

McDavid is in the final year of his eight-year contract extension, which he signed in July 2017, and has a cap hit of $12.5 million.