Oilers confident Connor McDavid will stay in Edmonton for years

Connor McDavid is expected to sign a long-term extension with the Edmonton Oilers, according to Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer.

Speaking as a guest on Sportsnet’s The Fan 590, Stauffer said he believes the Oilers captain will commit his future to the franchise with a seven-year contract extension.

“I don’t think there’s anybody more committed to Edmonton than Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. I expect the next contract McDavid signs to be a seven-year extension. I remind your viewers that’s the max term length carrying over with the little adjustment to the CBA,” Stauffer said.

The comments come as the Oilers move closer to officially appointing Mike Babcock as their next head coach, pending any issues involving the NHL Players’ Association.

Babcock has not coached in the NHL since being dismissed by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019 as he later briefly joined the Columbus Blue Jackets but stepped away before coaching a game following allegations that he made younger players uncomfortable by looking through their phones.

Stauffer said Edmonton’s leadership group had been involved in discussions around the coaching decision.

“You empower to get players involved, that’s the way of the future,” he said.

McDavid is coming off another dominant season after winning his fifth Ted Lindsay Award. He is set to begin a two-year extension worth $12.5 million annually next season.