NHL: Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars - Source: Imagn — Pierre LeBrun claims Connor McDavid's Oilers extension will be independent of Leon Draisaitl's decision. (Image Source: Imagn)

"There's nothing guaranteed here": Pierre LeBrun claims Connor McDavid's Oilers extension will be independent of Leon Draisaitl's decision

Modified Dec 12, 2024 10:30 GMT

Following Leon Draisaitl's lucrative $112 million contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers in September, the focus for the club has sifted to their captain, Connor McDavid.

McDavid is currently in the seventh year of an eight-year, $100 million deal and will become a free agent after the 2025-26 season.

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According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, McDavid's contract negotiations will be separate from Draisaitl's situation, noting that the two superstars are making independent decisions regarding their future.

On TSN's "SportsCenter" show with Jay Onrait, LeBrun said:

"They're not having contract talks right now. They are waiting until, as Jeff Jackson said, probably after the season, to start that conversation for real with Conor McDavid's camp. So that's one of the reminders from Jeff Jackson, is that this thing will have its own ebb and flow.

"One of the things we talked about is that just because Leon Draisatl signed..., it's important to separate the two superstars. They have their own decisions, to make their own negotiations. There's nothing guaranteed here, and that's not to scare anyone in Edmonton," LeBrun added.

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LeBrun emphasized that while Connor McDavid's agent, Jeff Jackson, is optimistic about a positive outcome for his contract negotiations, it's important that both McDavid and Draisaitl are two separate individuals.

Each player has their unique circumstances and decisions to consider when it comes to their contracts. LeBrun's insights indicate that contract talks between the Oilers and McDavid's camp haven't started yet, and it's expected that they will begin in the offseason.

For now, there won't be any discussions about McDavid's extension as things stand, and fans don't need to worry about it until after the current season wraps up.

How has Connor McDavid fared this season?

NHL: Edmonton Oilers at Vegas Golden Knights - Source: Imagn

McDavid has been in solid form for the Oilers this season. With 38 points, he's tied with Leon Draisaitl as the club's leading scorer.

Over the past four seasons, the Oilers captain has finished as the team's leading scorer, achieving 100 or more points in each of those seasons, including a career-best 153-point campaign in 2022-23.

This season, McDavid is once again on pace for a 100-point season. Should he achieve this, it will be his eighth season with 100 or more points.

McDavid and Co. travel to Xcel Energy Center to face league toppers Minnesota Wild (19-5-4) on Thursday. The puck is scheduled to drop at 8:30 p.m. ET.