Is Connor Mcdavid a Free Agent?
Connor McDavid isn't a free agent yet, but July 1, 2025 marks the beginning of the most important contract negotiation in recent NHL history.
Connor McDavid remains under contract with the Edmonton Oilers through the 2025-26 season, locked into the eight-year, $100 million deal he signed on July 5, 2017.
The contract carries an annual cap hit of $12.5 million, though McDavid actually receives $10 million in cash payments each year due to the structure of signing bonuses versus base salary.
When McDavid signed that contract, it represented the highest annual value in NHL history. Times have changed dramatically since then.
His teammate Leon Draisaitl now earns $14 million annually after signing an eight-year, $112 million extension in September 2024, officially surpassing McDavid as the league's highest-paid player.
When is Mcdavid a Free Agent?
Connor McDavid is not currently a free agent. He remains under contract with the Edmonton Oilers through the end of the 2025–26 NHL season. However, he becomes eligible to sign a contract extension starting on July 1, 2025, as per NHL rules that allow negotiations to begin once a player enters the final year of their deal.
If McDavid and the Oilers do not agree on an extension by then, he will officially become an unrestricted free agent in July 2026.
This would allow him to sign with any team in the league, making him one of the most high-profile free agents in NHL history if it comes to that.
Contract Talks & Trade Prospects
The Oilers have a head start: NHL rules allow current teams to negotiate extensions in the final year of a contract
Edmonton’s management, including CEO Jeff Jackson, emphasize McDavid’s importance and are expected to make a huge push to keep him
Yet, if the Oilers fail to win a Stanley Cup soon, speculation mounts around McDavid’s long-term commitment. ESPN's Steve Levy has even suggested he “might look elsewhere” if the Cup remains elusive
What If Connor McDavid Hits Free Agency in 2026?
Assuming McDavid enters the open market:
He would be part of a blockbuster 2026 UFA class, with estimates of him pushing for the first-ever $20 million/year deal, thanks to a rising salary cap
Teams like Toronto, New York Rangers, or Florida could emerge as major suitors —jockeying for cap flexibility and marquee signings.
The Edmonton Factor
Jeff Jackson, Edmonton's CEO of Hockey Operations and McDavid's former agent, has been clear about the organization's priorities. "Connor knows what he means to this organization and the city of Edmonton," Jackson told NHL.com. "And this organization and the city certainly know what Connor means to them."
McDavid himself has emphasized multiple factors beyond money in his decision-making process.
"Obviously, my loyalty to Edmonton, the fans, the organization, the loyalty to the players, all while understanding my will to win, my desire to win," McDavid explained at the NHL Player Media Tour. "All while balancing my family, my need to see them and spend time with them."
The Oilers' recent success provides a compelling case for staying. Back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025, despite ultimately losing both series, demonstrate Edmonton's championship potential.
For a player whose primary goal is winning the Stanley Cup, few destinations offer better immediate prospects.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available information as of June 2025. Contract details, negotiations, and team decisions may evolve, and any speculative content regarding Connor McDavid’s future is for informational purposes only. For the latest and most accurate updates, refer to official NHL or team announcements.
