Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid says he's in no rush to sign a contract extension.

The earliest he can sign a new deal is July 1, but he doesn't think there needs to be any timeline.

"I know people are going to look at that July 1 day and be looking to see if there's anything done, but for me, I'm just not in a rush that way," he told reporters at the Oilers' end-of-season media availabilities on Thursday.

After losing to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup final again, which McDavid described as more angry and frustrating than the heartbreak of last year, the focus turns to what's next for him and Edmonton. It's only been two days since Tuesday's 5-1 loss, but he does know what he wants.

"Winning would be top of the list. It's the most important thing," McDavid said. "If I feel that there's a good window to win here, over and over again, then signing is no problem."

He did say the Oilers have a winning formula despite not getting the two more wins they needed in the 4-2 series loss. So there is unfinished business in Edmonton.

"This core has been together for a long time, and we've been building to this moment all along," McDavid said. "The work that's gone on behind the scenes, the conversations, the endless disappointments, and some good times along the way, obviously, as well. We're all in this together, trying to get it over that finish line.

"With that being said, ultimately, still need to do what's best for me and my family, and that's who you have to take care of first, but of course, there's unfinished business here."

As it stands, the Oilers have center Leon Draisaitl and defenseman Darnell Nurse signed through at least 2030. But only those two, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Mattias Janmark and Ty Emberson are signed past next season.

The Oilers have six pending UFAs, including Trent Frederic, Corey Perry and Connor Brown, and top defenseman Evan Bouchard is a pending RFA with arbitration rights.

Edmonton had the oldest average age in the NHL this past season, at 30.1, according to eliteprospects.com. That said, they had the oldest roster in 2023-24, at 29.30, and needed only 16 games out of a possible 21 to get to the Cup final this year.

Draisaitl's future was at the forefront of the Oilers' off-season talk last year, when he was eligible to sign a contract extension. He didn't sign on July 1, but he got an eight-year deal with a league-high $14-million cap hit on Sept. 3, 2024.

"I'm going to be honest, I haven't really talked to Connor about it yet," Draisaitl said on Thursday. "There comes a time where we talk about it, but there's nothing that I can tell you right now that you want to hear or need to hear. That's his situation, and he will do what's best for him and his family. I mean, do I want him here forever? Yes, of course. I think everybody does."

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Draisaitl and McDavid tied for the league lead in playoff scoring, with 33 points. Bouchard tied for third, with 23 points, and Nugent-Hopkins was fourth on the team, with 20 points. After that, Corey Perry was fifth, with 14 points. Nine Oilers players had at least 10 points. Florida had 11, including six with at least 20 points.

McDavid mentioned the Panthers' offense and scoring depth, as well as what's worked with the rest of their squad.

"Their back end is big and fast and long and tough," he said. "And they got a world-class goaltender, you know? They're not just throwing any game at you. They're throwing their game that they practised and worked at, and (they) obviously have come up with a recipe that is extremely successful.

"We're doing that in our own way. It might not look like Florida, might not look like their game, but it's a solid game in its own way."

Panthers left winger Matthew Tkachuk praised McDavid after winning the Cup. 

“Everything he’s done for the game, it would be nice for him to win one day — and he will,” Tkachuk said. “When you have a player that good and that talented, he's going to win (the Stanley Cup) one day — wherever it is."

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