This has been a pretty significant week for Edmonton Oilers news, particularly surrounding superstar forward Connor McDavid. On one hand, things have been quiet all summer.
At the start of the week, Edmonton Oilers CEO & President of Hockey Ops Jeff Jackson gave a good-vibes update on that front. Then, yesterday McDavid gave a media interview committing to winning a Cup in Edmonton that seemed positive at first, but has insiders a bit leery.
Recently on his podcast “The Sheet,” former Sportsnet personality Jeff Marek talked about an interview he conducted with Jackson. Before bringing on a friend of the podcast, Marek played a clip of said interview. Presumably, Marek and Jackson talked about a lot of things, however the clip only showcased the one topic of discussion, in McDavid.
This is the second consecutive summer where the offseason conversations around the Oilers centre around a star talent. Last year, Edmonton fittingly had to wait until the day Kings of Leon played Rogers Place to see Leon Draisaitl sign an eight-year extension to remain an Oiler. This summer, it’s been McDavid Extension watch. Fans have been hoping for a more immediate resolution than the one to Draisaitl’s situation. Alas, it has so far stretched out nearly as long.
What Jackson said in the interview
Jackson gave plenty of contextual details, as it pertained to the McDavid contract extension talks. For length and clarity, these comments will be separated into their own sections. Leon references are sparingly included.
On how McDavid feels about the franchise, and the city at large:
“(Connor)’s been in Edmonton for a decade now… and he’s been very vocal about how much he loves this city, he loves playing for this team. The team is a very good team, which is paramount to Connor having an opportunity to win. The conversation would be different if we were struggling, if we hadn’t gotten this far. As disappointing as it has been to not win, we’ve been right there two years in a row. And I think, even though we’ve made changes this summer, I think we have a really good team again. So, Connor feels good about all that.”
On why Connor will likely re-sign:
“It could be the relationship with Connor and the city (of Edmonton), my relationship with Connor goes way back… and ownership have treated Connor and his wife Lauren very well. So I think it’s a combination of all those things.”
On the similarities to the Draisaitl talks last year:
“I know that last year, when Leon had another year left and we were going to extend him, wanted to… it seemed like there was a lot more pressure, and immediate talk… I tried to tamp that down last June, when we were in the Final. Everybody was saying ‘oh, if you don’t (sign him) right away, you’ll have to trade him’; I was like ‘I’m not sure what you’re talking about; he has another year (left) and he loves playing in Edmonton… And sure enough, we got a deal done with Leon in early-September.’”
“I sort of feel it’s the same with Connor… It’s not going to be a long negotiation.”
Lots of positive indications from Jackson’s comments
The entire time that Jackson discussed McDavid, everything seemed laid-back. And it wasn’t just that Marek choose an outdoorsy, backyard-patio setting for the interview. It’s that Jackson truly does seem confident the extension will happen.
More often than not, a team’s brass won’t vocalize much about contract extension negotiations. For every PoHO like Jackson, there’s five to ten front-office personnel who are more like Lou Lamoriello. As such, PoHO’s and GM’s are just as vulnerable to using cliché responses as players can be.
To hear Jackson, who has been close with McDavid for a long time, speak in such a relaxed manner is good. It would be truly concerning if Jackson were offering word salad responses, and trying to keep every single tidbit under wraps. Apart from teammates and relatives, Jackson knows McDavid better than anyone. So his response, both in content and in substance, is a shining ray of light.
McDavid’s remarks at Team Canada Media Day yesterday
Fast-forward 48 hours, and as this observer was about to wax poetic about everything and say this would likely end the same way it ended with Draisaitl, McDavid spoke down the road in Calgary. As is standard, he was careful with his comments, and spoke to his commitment to winning a Cup in Edmonton. At first glance, it seems like nothing out of the ordinary.
His quote, in full:
“Like I said at the end of June, I had every intention just to take my time with it, and I still feel the same way. Take my time and go through everything. I have every intention to win in Edmonton. It’s my only focus, maybe next to winning the gold medal with Canada. But it is my intention to win there. (So) taking my time, going through it with, obviously, my family, my agent, everybody involved. We’re going through it slowly.”
It’s been a busy summer for McDavid and now-wife Lauren. The two were present at Draisaitl’s wedding, first and foremost. McDavid has been doing his usual offseason training, and Lauren has new business ventures in Edmonton. So on one hand, he can be forgiven for putting off a contract extension for a couple of months, or letting agent Judd Moldaver get preliminary stuff figured out.
However, what has people concerned is that there’s still not much public commitment, and we’re approaching the point on the calendar when Draisaitl re-signed last year. The worry is that McDavid may let the season begin without a new deal in place. Saying he’s “taking his time” doesn’t do much to soothe nerves, either.
The risk of doom is existent, but still quite unlikely
It was 33 degrees for a high yesterday. The city of Edmonton has broken temperature records two days in a row, and might break a third today. Since Sunday, this entire week has been hot outside, and specifically, no rain is in sight.
That analogy is to say that the recent McDavid comments are akin to a few clouds suddenly popping up in the forecast. Could it end up raining or storming? Well, yes, there’s a chance now. Is that chance high? Not really.
At the very least, if McDavid will be lured by a Cup contender, the Oilers still present the best chance at the end of the day. The Florida Panthers have been the better team the past two Finals, but even with the rising cap they won’t be able to afford McDavid without significant roster surgery. Vegas is in a state of flux, the Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars can’t get past the Conference Final. And no other team has proven to be true contenders.
To Edmonton’s credit, the front office hasn’t stayed idle. They’ve committed to younger talent, and locked up Draisaitl long-term. They’ve also brought in a new goalie coach to determine once and for all whether the issue was with the chicken or with the egg, or rather, the goaltender or the ex-coach Dustin Schwartz.
All in all, it’s still looking very likely McDavid re-signs. Of course, nothing is certain until the pen is put to paper. But the recent developments shouldn’t affect the likelihood of that happening.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
