Author's Note:

The following is the sixth in a series of posts exploring the Edmonton Oilers, their previous “Decade of Darkness,” and how the team has started to turn things around with the help of Connor McDavid.

To offer readers something different during the NHL’s summer lull, this is Part Six of the series—from the perspective of a fan-turned-journalist—and it will continue over the next few weeks. I hope you enjoy the journey.

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 5: The Drafts Before McJesus <i><b>Author's Note:</b></i>

I remember the exact moment when it was learned that the Edmonton Oilers won the lottery and the right to draft Connor McDavid. I was at an Edmonton Rush lacrosse game because my son was set to walk out in the opening flag ceremony of the game with his own lacrosse team. My late father-in-law and I were in the stands watching the Rush warm up when he decided to go to the concession stand. A notification came over my phone that Edmonton won the lottery. I literally sprinted up the aisle and shouted down the concourse, "Edmonton won McDavid!!"

We were both thrilled because we knew what that meant. A few other fans, also in the concourse proceeded to share high fives. 

My father-in-law was not around long enough (past away from cancer) to enjoy most of what McDavid would bring the Oilers in the coming seasons. It was unfortunate, too, that he couldn't witness the Oilers start to turn things around. 

McDavid was a generational talent. Everyone knew what he was likely to do, even if few had any realization about the actual impact he would make on the Oilers, the NHL, and the city of Edmonton. 

McDavid Transformed the Oilers

Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins were all good players. McDavid was something different. 

Since being drafted first overall in 2015, the Oilers haven't been the same. His combination of elite skills, the speed at which he plays, and his on-ice leadership elevated the team from the middle of the pack to a playoff team to a consistent contender. Edmonton went from a group with a good young core to a Stanley Cup favorite in a matter of years, all because McDavid dominated in a game where one player really isn't supposed to change the outcome of a game so dramatically.

Still, McDavid found a way to be impactful. He clicked almost immediately with Leon Draisaitl (who was drafted the prior summer), and the two became the most lethal duo in hockey. At the first chance to sign on long-term, he did so. Throwing it back at fans from other markets, suggesting he was disappointed to be drafted by the Oilers, McDavid proved those who trolled the situation wrong. He inked an eight-year extension at $12.5 million per season. It was considered a bargain. 

He has battled back from injuries, won awards, set point totals thought unimaginable, and he's just barely reaching the peak of his career.

The one thing he's not been able to do is bring the Oilers a Stanley Cup, but he's working on it. 

The Oilers Really Did Win the Lottery

Now, McDavid is in the final year of his extension contract. The Oilers are waiting for him to be ready to sit down and talk about another extension. CEO of the Oilers, Jeff Jackson, said in a recent interview: "I think that when Connor is ready... we'll have the discussion and we'll get a deal done."

Insider Makes New Connor McDavid Contract Prediction EDMONTON – It’s no secret how important <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/connor-mcdavids-wife-lauren-makes-big-announcement">Connor McDavid</a> is to the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers">Edmonton Oilers</a>.

He added, the McDavid negotiation won't be long. That's because McDavid is unlike any other player, and whatever he asks for, the Oilers will give him. That contract, as long or as short as it winds up being, will again be the Oilers winning the McDavid lottery. 

This was a player the Oilers weren't supposed to draft. The draft lottery balls had to fall their way. Then, the team wasn't supposed to be able to re-sign him, because they weren't "Toronto" and the Oilers weren't legitimate contenders yet. The narrative has changed, and most expect this deal to get done in short order. 

In the next installment of the series, I'll look at Leon Draisaitl's contract extension, what it means for the Oilers, and examine what fans should expect as McDavid gets set to sit down with Oilers' management.

To be continued...

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