Connor McDavid decided to accept a lower salary.
The top star in hockey could have asked for almost any amount when he signed a two-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers that lasts until the 2027-28 season.
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Instead, he settled for a reasonable salary of $12.5 million each year for two years, totaling $25 million.
By doing this, he didn’t become the highest-paid player in the NHL. He also didn’t become the highest-paid player on the Oilers, since that title still belongs to Leon Draisaitl.
However, this decision opened up many new chances for him.
McDavid can now be traded to another team more easily than if he was making $16-20 million a year.
He also has a clearer idea of what his next contract might be. Since he didn’t sign a longer deal with the Oilers, it seems like he wants to keep his options available.
With two years left on his current deal, McDavid has a lot of choices in front of him. And right now, the Oilers don’t have the advantage.
They know that their best shot at winning the Stanley Cup is with McDavid on the roster, so they need to keep him satisfied.
If he chooses to stay, this may lead to bigger plans to bring in more players around him, especially if their team doesn’t perform well in the playoffs after a somewhat disappointing season.
If McDavid asks for a trade, several teams would be eager to get him.
And if McDavid decides not to leave anytime soon, he can now ask for a record-setting contract, showing that he was willing to take a pay cut with his last deal and can now look for a big payout with his next one.
None of this will be discussed much until the season in Edmonton has completely finished. However, it’s a smart idea to think about it now.
McDavid’s future in hockey is still unknown, even if there are any changes in a year or two rather than right now.
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