Connor McDavid Says 'Nothing's Really Changed' with Oilers Contract as Camp Opens

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid says there is "not really much to report" in terms of progress on his next contract as of the second day of training camp.

"Obviously, we think about it. We talk about it, gauge where we're at and what we're feeling," McDavid said when asked Thursday how much he thinks about extension negotiations, per The Athletic's Daniel Nugent-Bowman. "Nothing's really changed as of now. Just excited to be here at camp and get rolling."

McDavid, who is heading into the final season of an expiring $12.5 million AAV contract, has been eligible to sign an extension since July 1. He said in August he wanted to "take my time" with his next contract.

"I said at the end of June I had every intention to take my time with it and I still feel the same way," McDavid told reporters during Team Canada's Olympic orientation camp, per NHL.com's Derek Van Diest. "I'll take my time and go through everything. I have every intention to win in Edmonton. It's my only focus, maybe next to winning a gold medal with Canada.

"I'll take my time going through it with my family, my agent and everybody involved. We're going through it slowly."

General manager Stan Bowman referenced McDavid's comments when speaking to reporters at Wednesday's opening of training camp.

"I just go by what Connor says, which is that he wants nothing more than to win in Edmonton," Bowman said Wednesday, according to the Oilers' transcript. "So I take him at his word, and he's going through his own process. I think you have to understand that and respect it, and I do. When he's ready, he'll be ready."

The Oilers made Leon Draisaitl the highest-paid player in the NHL by signing him to an eight-year, $112 million deal worth $14 million per season last summer.

Given the rise of the salary cap, it is likely McDavid will receive more on his next contract. ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reported in June the Oilers captain is expected to receive between $15.5 million and $19 million per year on his next deal.

Bowman noted Wednesday, however, that he has "never gotten the impression that he's really focused on money" when speaking with McDavid.

McDavid has lost two straight Stanley Cup Finals with the Oilers, most recently coming two wins shy of his first championship with a Game 6 loss to the Florida Panthers in June.

Bowman said in June that winning a championship is McDavid's "singular focus," and that he sees it as his job "to connect with Connor and demonstrate that's what we're all trying to do," per Wyshynski.

Winning a bidding war in terms of average annual value may not be enough for the Oilers to ensure McDavid stays in Edmonton. Bowman and head coach Kris Knoblauch will also be tasked this year with building a team the captain believes has a shot to finally lift the Cup in the near future.