Connor McDavid contract details as Edmonton Oilers continue harsh postmortem

The biggest question for Edmonton now is what its window looks like. McDavid is still the NHL's premier player, having led the league in points in 2025-26. But as McDavid talks about his desire to win, there is a clock.

Connor McDavid contract details

McDavid inked a two-year extension in October 2025 worth $12.5 million AAV to cap off an eight-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2017. The extension kicks in during 2026-27 and will put him as a free agent in 2028 at age 31.

Draisaitl made no bones about it: The Oilers' window closes if McDavid leaves.

"He's signed for two more years and God knows where that goes, but we have two years here right now," Draisaitl said of McDavid's future. "We have to get significantly better."

Oilers GM Stan Bowman also spoke to reporters on McDavid calling the team average.

"We were average for a lot of the year," Bowman said. "The way I took that comment was in previous years we've had stretches where we've been able to get our game going and dominate and win five-six-eight, 10 in a row. And also have some losing streaks."

Though Bowman focused on the "average" comment and sidestepped the McDavid aspect, he did say the time for the Oilers is now.

"I know how bad Connor wants to win," he said. "And I certainly feel the same way. That's why we all do this. So we're pushing hard. Not every year does it work in the decisions you make. But it's not like we're building for five years from now ... We're pushing every year ... Now is the time when we want our team to win, we're not looking down the road."

While McDavid did concur in his news conference that the "organization as a whole has taken a step back, and that starts with me," the subtext of what he and Draisatil are saying is clear: If the organization doesn't build a team that can win with them, they'll go win without them.

Draisaitl, of course, is under contract until 2033, so he's locked in as a franchise staple. But with McDavid putting up 138 points this year, it seems disingenuous to say he's taken a "step back."

McDavid and the Oilers now go into the offseason licking their wounds, but the wounds are different than the festering gashes of two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals losses. Perhaps two deep runs caught up to them, and this season can be a reset. Either way, the Oilers have two years to figure it out with both of their franchise staples. How they come out in 2026 will be a good litmus test for where they're at.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oilers' latest playoff disappointment raises Connor McDavid questions