With Leon Draisaitl’s substantial new contract now finalized, all eyes in Edmonton are turning to Connor McDavid and his upcoming deal with the Oilers. Draisaitl recently signed the highest Annual Average Value (AAV) contract in NHL history, securing $14 million per season for the next eight years. However, according to Marc de Foy of Le Journal de Montreal, McDavid’s next contract could dwarf this figure significantly when it kicks in for the 2026-27 season. De Foy predicts that McDavid will become the first hockey player to earn $20 million annually when he is eligible for an extension in July 2025.
In his column, de Foy speculates that McDavid, widely regarded as the top player in the NHL, will easily surpass all current salary records. “It is already certain that Connor McDavid will become the first hockey player to earn at least $20 million per year,” de Foy wrote. “This statement is simply a formality following the announcement of Leon Draisaitl’s contract extension.”
If de Foy’s prediction comes to fruition, McDavid’s $20 million annual salary would significantly exceed the current record held by Draisaitl, who signed an eight-year, $112 million deal featuring $104 million in signing bonuses. “In the fall of 2026, with two years remaining on his current contract, McDavid will secure a deal that will make him the highest-paid player in NHL history,” de Foy added. “The Oilers captain will earn no less than $20 million from Uncle Sam.”
The prospect of McDavid resetting salary records has been a topic of speculation for years, with many anticipating a groundbreaking new deal. However, questions remain regarding the size of McDavid’s ask and its potential impact on the Oilers’ future. Given the NHL salary cap of $88 million for the upcoming season, the proposed $34 million in combined salaries for the Draisaitl-McDavid duo would consume over 38 percent of the cap space, leaving the Oilers with significant financial challenges as they build the rest of their roster.
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