The Oilers superstar prioritizes championships over a record-breaking payday, signaling he will bypass a maximum salary extension to ensure his team maintains the depth required to hoist the Cup.
Connor McDavid is unlikely to ask for $23 million, or whatever the number he's eligible to ask for, when it comes time for him to sign his next extension. “I think Connor McDavid could get a $200 million contract. Eight years at $25 million per season, all bonuses," suggested Spittin' Chiclets host Paul Bissonnette.
Ya, that's probably not happening.
First, because he can't sign an eight-year deal (it'll expire under the NHL). Second, because he's just not prioritizing the highest payday possible.
Whether it be an extension with the Oilers or McDavid jumping to another potential contender, he's unlikely to ask for the max allowable for one simple reason. Doing so hampers his ability to win.
If he's leaving the Oilers, it's because they didn't win the Stanley Cup in the two years he gave them to figure it out. If he stays, it's because they won, or he feels they're so close that going anywhere else would be a step backward. In neither scenario does he go for the most money he can get and put his team in a position where they can't build around him.
McDavid is not signing anywhere for the money alone. He's got more money than he'll ever need, and he's already proven (with his latest extension) it's not about salary. Being the NHL's highest-paid player is not what motivates him. Winning does.
While he's unlikely to ever take under what would be fair money, he's also not likely to ever earn what the market or a team looking to land him would gladly pay. This isn't about maxing out his earnings. It's about making good money, building his team to be as deep as possible, and adding to a Hall of Fame legacy that is missing only one thing—a Stanley Cup win.
If this was the early part of his career, maybe things would have been different. He'd have had plenty of time to peruse the league, trying to find a good fit and allowing the team he joins to assemble a contender. He's now 29 years old. That's still young, but it's a matter of time before his prime window to give his best to anyone starts to decline.
He's pushing now. It's not for the money and it's not for the fame or personal accolades. All that matters is winning, so any suggestion he'll take the biggest piece of the pie possible is ridiculous and proves that those suggesting he will simply don't known him very well.
Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.
