Connor McDavid 'Has Every Intention to Win in Edmonton' amid Oilers Contract Rumors

Connor McDavid says he has "every intention" to win with the Edmonton Oilers as he heads into the final season of his expiring contract.

McDavid, who has led the Oilers to two straight Stanley Cup Finals but has yet to win a championship, was asked about a potential extension on Wednesday during media availability at Hockey Canada's National Teams Orientation Camp.

"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," McDavid said about his next contract. "Take my time and go through everything.

"I have every intention to win in Edmonton. That's my only focus. Maybe next to win the gold medal with Canada, but it is my intention to win there."

McDavid is currently set to hit unrestricted free agency in 2026 after the expiration of his previous eight-year, $100 million contract with the Oilers.

Oilers general manager Stan Bowman told Bob Stauffer of the Oilers Now podcast in July he had shared "really good conversations" with McDavid's agent since his team's season ended with a second straight Final loss to the Florida Panthers in June.

"Honestly, I've tried to give Connor his space, and I think that it's important. A lot of this is respecting the athlete and their timeline, so we haven't had any of those types of detailed discussions yet, but we certainly will," Bowman said in July.

Bowman added, "I do expect to have some conversations with him soon, and hopefully get that wrapped up."

TSN's Ryan Rishaug reported on Wednesday that the Oilers and McDavid hadn't yet gotten to the point of discussing "dollars and term" on his next deal.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said on last Saturday's episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast that he "could see" a possibility that the Oilers and McDavid's camp begin more detailed talks between Hockey Canada's Olympic orientation camp, which wraps up on Thursday, and the start of Oilers training camp on Sept. 17.

McDavid missed 15 games last season but still managed to post his fifth straight 100-point campaign for the Oilers while further cementing his reputation as one of the best playmakers in the NHL.

The Oilers already signed Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year, $14 million AAV contract last offseason, keeping arguably the best top-two center duo in the NHL in Edmonton and setting the Oilers on track for another deep playoff run.

Roster depth issues including inconsistent goaltending ultimately sunk the Oilers' hopes of earning redemption over the Panthers in June.

The Oilers have reworked the team's forward group this season, but are currently set to run things back with a goaltending tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard.

Acquiring further depth in net or proving Skinner has developed into a more reliable option could potentially help the Oilers convince McDavid his team is on track for a championship run in the near future.