As the hockey world holds its breath this offseason, all eyes are fixed on Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid and the contract extension that could shake the very foundation of the NHL.

With negotiations expected to ramp up as soon as McDavid returns from a high-profile wedding in France, the anticipation surrounding his next deal is reaching fever pitch.

Insiders and analysts agree: whatever number McDavid signs for will instantly become the new benchmark, effectively putting a ceiling on salaries for every other player in the league.

But what’s truly going on behind closed doors? Why are so many players and agents anxiously awaiting McDavid’s decision before making their own moves? And how might his surprising priorities—favoring team success and family over maximizing his earnings—reshape the entire landscape of NHL contracts?

As top insiders like Elliotte Friedman hint at a domino effect that could impact not just the Oilers, but every franchise and free agent in the league, the full story is even more complex than it seems.

Dive into the details to uncover the hidden factors and dramatic consequences of the most anticipated contract negotiation in recent NHL history.

Photo credit: Danny Wild – Imagn Images

Oilers superstar Connor McDavid is expected to sign his contract extension this offseason, which will set a cap on the value of every other contract in the NHL.

Most recently, Oilers insiders have reported that contract negotiations could begin when McDavid returns home from Draisaitl’s wedding in France this weekend. At the very least, a deal should be done before the regular season.

NHL insider explains McDavid contract will put a cap on salaries around the league

On today’s edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that players around the league are waiting to see the number McDavid agrees to.

«I think a lot of players expect that the two highest salaries after this wave of signings are going to be McDavid and Kaprizov.

Kaprizov is a great player in a great spot to hit it big. So once those players sign, I think you’ll see some of those other potential top UFAs next year say ‘okay, now the top, top, top of the market has been set. It’s easier for me to find the sweet spot or the comfortable place with the team to go after those two guys are done.’

– Elliotte Friedman

Being the best in the league, no player will be able to argue for a higher salary than McDavid for quite a while – so his deal will essentially impose a cap on all other contracts.

Perhaps unfortunately for the rest of the league, McDavid himself has said he’s not looking for the most money on his next contract. Instead, he wants to be in a winning situation, and a good place for his family.

He isn’t too concerned about driving up salaries for his peers, either.

MCDAVID: I feel like I set the market a long time ago. That held for a long time. The cap was pretty stagnant there for a while My priority is to win. My priority is to take care of my family. Those are the two things that I worry about.

Insiders are extremely confident that McDavid will re-sign to stay with the Edmonton Oilers, and once again take a salary discount to help the team build a better roster. Almost incidentally, it will be a contract that affects every other player in the NHL.