Connor McDavid’s love for Edmonton is undeniable, but don’t be fooled into thinking his next contract extension is a done deal. According to Elliotte Friedman, one of hockey’s most trusted insiders, McDavid’s willingness to let negotiations drag into the season signals that he isn’t entirely sold on the Oilers — and there’s only one logical reason why.
The Oilers aren't perfect. No team is. That said, they're nearly elite in every way except their goaltending.
McDavid v. the Decade of Darkness: Part 1: My Introduction to the Oilers
McDavid v. the Decade of Darkness: Part 2: "Where's My Bottle Cap?"
McDavid v. the Decade of Darkness: Part 3: The Gretzky Trade
McDavid v. the Decade of Darkness: Part 4: Pronger Wants Out
McDavid v. the Decade of Darkness: Part 5: The Drafts Before McJesus
McDavid v. the Decade of Darkness: Part 6: Oilers Win The Lottery
McDavid's Sole Focus is Winning In Edmonton
At the Team Canada Olympic Orientation, McDavid did what superstars often do: he said the right things. He reaffirmed that he wants to win in Edmonton and insisted that “all options are on the table” regarding the timing of his contract. On the surface, it’s a reassuring message for Oilers fans. But as Friedman noted, McDavid’s hesitation suggests “something imperfect” in how he views the team’s readiness to compete for a Stanley Cup.
And the most glaring imperfection? Goaltending.
Connor McDavid Delivers Message On His Oilers Future
Following <a href="https://x.com/TSNRyanRishaug/status/1960712313406955934">a report from</a> TSN's Ryan Rishaug that there hasn’t been a back-and-forth with dollars and terms to this point between the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers" target="_blank">Edmonton Oilers</a> and his agent. McDavid took center stage alongside Sam Reinhart and Sidney Crosby at Olympic Orientation in Calgary and answered questions about his contract status.
On paper, this team should be a championship contender. But when it comes to the crease, the Oilers’ options are far from elite.
Does McDavid See Issues With the Goaltending?
Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard form the current tandem in net. Skinner has shown flashes of brilliance — stealing games against the league’s top teams — but he also has an inconsistency problem. In critical moments, he can fall flat, relying on mental resilience that sometimes comes too late to swing a series.
Pickard is an excellent backup, arguably one of the best in the league at his role, but he’s not a proven No. 1 starter.
For a player like McDavid, who measures every move against the team’s ability to win now and sustain success in the future, that uncertainty is a legitimate concern.
Friedman doesn’t say McDavid is actively reconsidering Edmonton. Rather, the superstar’s patience may be a signal: he wants to see the Oilers address the last glaring gap before putting pen to paper. If he's waiting for the fix to come, the Oilers need to find a suitable goaltender who is locked in on a contract that works. Both Pickard and Skinner will see their contracts expire at the end of this season. So, even if McDavid likes one or both of them, there's no guarantee either will be back.
What Options Are Out There For the Oilers?
If McDavid is waiting for the Oilers to address their goaltending, there are a few issues at play here.
First, if he likes Skinner but wants to know what Skinner's future looks like, the Oilers need to get the goaltender signed to a smart extension. If McDavid is confident that deal will be a good one, he'll sign.
Second, if McDavid isn't sold on the goaltending duo, the Oilers need to address it if they're worried about getting McDavid signed long-term.
Any acquisition at the trade deadline is likely to be a short-term rental. While that might help in the immediate playoff push, it doesn’t guarantee McDavid sees a sustainable, championship-ready foundation. If the Oilers make a trade for a new netminder -- see what the Colorado Avalanche did last season -- McDavid needs to think that said goaltender is the fix.
The Oilers have been trying to find a reliable No. 1 goalie for years, so accomplishing this task is easier said than done. McDavid is not just thinking about this season; he’s thinking long-term. Until Edmonton can secure someone capable of stealing a series when the stakes are highest, that “imperfection” lingers in his mind.
At What Point Does McDavid's Situation Become Worrisome?
There’s also the psychological side to all of this. McDavid said he didn't want his contract to be a distraction. Friedman believes it wouldn't be -- for McDavid. It might be for the rest of the roster, particularly the goaltenders.
Suppose the lack of proven goaltending is the issue for McDavid. How confident can either be heading into a season where McDavid is holding out on signing until that issue is addressed? Does one hot goalie streak give McDavid the confidence he needs? Until that happens, will the rest of the roster be on edge, fielding questions about McDavid and his contract situation? Mental distraction can make or break a championship run. For goalies, being locked in is imperative.
McDavid's decision to wait is not a critique of the Oilers’ core or their overall construction. The team is excellent, having made it to the Stanley Cup Final twice in two years. But that doesn’t change the math in the crease. The lesson here is clear: until Edmonton addresses its goalie problem, McDavid may see the team as incomplete.
McDavid seems to have made it clear that winning is non-negotiable, and he’s not willing to sign on just for the sake of convenience. That means, despite his best friends being on the team and the forward mix elite, more needs to be done.
For Edmonton, if Friedman is right, patience alone won’t secure his future. The Oilers can't simply wait for McDavid to feel comfortable. They need to take action, and the action they need to take seems obvious. Whether via free agency, trade, or internal development, he needs to know there are no glaring holes in the roster. Right now, the most obvious one is in the net.
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