As the NHL regular season looms, Edmonton Oilers fans are waking up to news that could reshape the league’s landscape—and it all centers on Connor McDavid. After months of speculation and tense negotiation, McDavid’s contract saga has finally reached its dramatic conclusion. But what’s truly turning heads is not just the extension itself, but the shocking details behind it.

Rumors swirled throughout the off-season, with insiders and fans alike wondering how far McDavid would go to keep his championship dreams alive in Edmonton. Now, with the dust settling, the truth is out—and it’s more surprising than anyone imagined. The Oilers captain has made a decision that defies the norms of superstar contracts, choosing loyalty and team success over personal fortune. This move isn’t just about numbers on a paycheck; it’s about rewriting the unwritten rules of NHL stardom.

But what exactly did McDavid sacrifice, and what does it mean for the Oilers’ future? With rivals watching closely and the hockey world buzzing, the implications stretch far beyond Edmonton. Is this the start of a new era for the Oilers—or a risky gamble that will shape their legacy for years to come? The full story awaits.

Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers.

Photo credit: Daily Faceoff

Connor McDavid has confirmed he is extending with the Edmonton Oilers, and now, the insane discount he’s taken with his team has been revealed.

The Connor McDavid saga has been dragging on in Edmonton all off-season long, but now, just one day before the regular season begins on Tuesday, talks picked up of an extension.

First from Elliotte Friedman, then, McDavid himself confirmed the news on social media, with the Oilers captain set to shun free agency in 2026 by signing an extension with the only NHL team he’s known.

McDavid takes incredible discount for the Oilers

While most expected McDavid to take a discount to stay with the team and give them flexibility to improve the team moving forward, Friedman has now revealed the details, and it was a much bigger sacrifice than anyone expected.

According to the NHL’s top insider, McDavid’s extension is for two years (keeping him in Edmonton for three more seasons including 2025/26), carrying a salary cap hit of just $12.5 million, a major discount from even Leon Draisaitl’s deal of $14 million that he signed a year ago.

Clearly, McDavid had a goal, and that was to win the Stanley Cup with the Oilers, and by signing this deal, it allows the team to go out and improve ahead of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, where the team will be hoping to get to the Finals for a third straight season.

Ultimately, this was an incredibly unselfish move from McDavid to put his team and their Stanley Cup hopes ahead of potentially earning more than Kirill Kaprizov’s $17 million per season, and now, the team will be looking to take advantage and win Canada’s first Stanley Cup in over 30 years.