The future of Connor McDavid’s 2026 October Oilers captaincy legacy
Leon Draisaitl's eight-year, $112 million contract extension impacts the Edmonton Oilers' financial landscape as Connor McDavid approaches his 2026 contract eligibility. The team must manage high-salary players amid a projected $104 million salary cap ceiling.
The Financial Landscape
Leon Draisaitl signed an eight-year contract extension worth $112 million with the Edmonton Oilers. The deal carries an average annual value of $14 million and runs through 2033. Draisaitl is 28 years old, 6 feet 2 inches tall, and weighs 209 pounds. He was the third overall pick in the 2014 NHL draft. The contract signed by Leon Draisaitl makes him the highest-paid player in the league because it carries a massive average annual value of $14 million every single year for the entire duration of his eight-year term. This deal surpasses Auston Matthews and his $13.25 million cap hit. The contract begins with the 2025-26 season.
| 2026-27 Salary Cap Figures | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ceiling | $104 million |
| Midpoint | $90.4 million |
| Floor | $76.9 million |
| Maximum Salary | $20.8 million |
The 2026-27 salary cap ceiling is $104 million, which is an $8.5 million increase from the 2025-26 season. The floor is $76.9 million and the midpoint is $90.4 million. Draisaitl recorded 41 goals and 65 assists for 106 points in 81 games last season. He added 10 goals and 21 assists through 25 playoff games. During the Stanley Cup final run, he scored 31 points in 25 games as the team lost to Florida in Game 7. Draisaitl has 347 goals and 503 assists in 719 regular-season games. He also has 850 total points and ranks second in the league in points since 2018-19 behind McDavid. Draisaitl has 124 powerplay goals since 2018-19, which is the league lead. He is tied with Artemi Panarin with 371 total assists.
McDavid’s Contract Status
Connor McDavid became the youngest captain in NHL history on October 5 at 19 years and 266 days old. This decision by head coach Todd McLellan beat the record held by Gabriel Landeskog by 20 days. McLellan coached McDavid for Team North America, and McDavid is eligible for a contract extension as of July 1, 2026. He currently earns $12.5 million annually. Draisaitl spoke with McDavid during his own negotiation process. Draisaitl told reporters he wants McDavid to stay on board. Stan Bowman said the organization will handle McDavid’s contract negotiations separately. You should monitor how the team manages these high-salary players. McDavid won the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP and three Hart Trophies. He finished the season with 138 points, including 42 points in the playoffs. He also recorded four assists in a 6-1 win over Vancouver.
Leadership and Team Dynamics
The captaincy announcement included alternates Jordan Eberle, Milan Lucic, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Jordan Eberle said he was pleased to be passed up for captain again, noting that players from Saskatchewan look out for one another. Milan Lucic mentioned his 2011 Stanley Cup win and said he would have cherished that win more if he had known it was his only one. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was silent during the reveal. The team is in a rebuilding phase according to McLellan. McDavid is the 15th captain in franchise history and holds a 1-0 record in his two games as captain. Draisaitl has 108 points in 74 playoff games, which ranks him fourth all time among players with 40-plus games in the postseason behind Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and McDavid. Draisaitl ranks in the 97th percentile in shooting percentage and the 89th percentile in shot volume. Draisaitl also leads the league with 124 powerplay goals since 2018-19. The Oilers had a powerplay efficiency of 23.7% from 2014-15 through 2023-24. Will McDavid follow Draisaitl’s lead and sign a long-term deal?
