McDavid says loyalty, family, winning key factors in new Oilers contract

LAS VEGAS — Connor McDavid broke into a wry grin when asked if the recent megacontract signed by his pal and teammate Leon Draisaitl might affect his own long-term future with the Edmonton Oilers.

“Everything’s a factor,” the 27-year-old replied at the NHL North American Player Media Tour on Tuesday. “Obviously, my loyalty to Edmonton, the fans, the organization, the loyalty to the players, all while understanding my will to win, my desire to win. All while balancing my family, my need to see them and spend time with them and make sure the people I care about are good.

“I think there are so many factors that go into a decision like that.”

Draisaitl signed an eight-year, $112 million contract ($14 million average annual value) with the Oilers on Sept. 3. The 28-year-old forward is entering the final season of an eight-year, $68 million contract he signed with them Aug. 16, 2017, and could have become a free agent next summer.

A player is eligible to re-sign with their current team starting July 1 when they have one year left on their deal. That was the situation with Draisaitl and the Oilers, who took advantage of the window to come to an agreement before the team gathered for training camp.

That will be the situation for McDavid next July when the Edmonton captain enters the final season of the eight-year, $100 million contract ($12.5 million AAV) he signed July 5, 2017. He and Draisaitl have been teammates since McDavid was selected No. 1 by the Oilers at the 2015 NHL Draft and have grown up together, in their own words, since then.

For his part, there is nothing more Draisaitl would like to see than continuing to be teammates with McDavid for the majority of another decade.

“It would mean the world to me,” Draisaitl said Tuesday. “I love playing with him. I’ve always loved learning from him. Doing this together in a way and chasing this down together.

“Obviously, I’d be lying if I said I don’t want him there forever. I want him by my side. I’m sure he thinks the same way, but at the end of the day, I’m sure he’s going to do what’s best for him. That’s the way this business works, but ...

“I guess I’m just waiting for next summer,” he said with a chuckle.

When discussing the one-two punch McDavid and Draisaitl have been in the League, consider this: McDavid has the most points of any player since 2015 (982). The second most? Draisaitl (841).

To McDavid, the Oilers' commitment to Draisaitl is an indication of how the perception of the franchise has changed.

“I think what you’re seeing is Edmonton isn’t a B market. It isn’t a C market. It’s a destination,” he said.