When Connor McDavid signed his two-year, $25 million extension with the Edmonton Oilers earlier this week, the hockey world was more than surprised. Not because he was signing — superstars sign contracts all the time — but because he left money on the table – lots and lots of it. And he did it with zero drama.
There were no public demands, no posturing, no long-winded negotiations. Just a quiet, firm statement: team first. In an era where superstar players often chase long-term security, agent battles, and headline-making numbers, McDavid’s decision feels almost revolutionary.
Related: Oilers’ Mangiapane Having Hot Start Should Not Come as a Surprise
In the video below, Oilers general manager Stan Bowman summed it up perfectly in his interview with Scott Oake on After Hours. He recalled the moment when McDavid’s agent called with the final terms: “I was smiling… I just wanted to get to the finish line.” Bowman emphasized that while the deal was below what many expected, it “goes to show what Connor’s all about.”
Bowman Noted that McDavid Is More than Just a Great Player
McDavid is not just an incredible player, Bowman said; he’s an incredible person, a great leader, and “determined to do everything you can to help his team win.” That’s the heart of this story: this wasn’t about money. It was about culture, trust, and the kind of leadership that isn’t shouted from a podium — it’s acted out on ice and in the locker room.
Related: The Evolution of Oilers’ Evan Bouchard From Power Play Maestro to Olympic Hopeful
Contrast that with the standard superstar narrative, and the difference is striking. Most players in McDavid’s position use leverage to maximize term and dollars. They negotiate for the long haul, secure as much as possible (just in case), and push their general manager to the limits.
McDavid didn’t play that game. He had options. He had leverage. Yet he chose what he believed was best for the team in the moment, leaving some seven-figure dollars on the table. Still, to suggest some perspective, let’s be clear: that’s not charity. He’s still getting $12.5 million per season. I’m betting that’s more money than anyone reading this post will make – maybe in a lifetime of work.
Still, given what he could have demanded, that’s leadership. He’s showing his teammates — and the city of Edmonton — that commitment to winning isn’t just about stats or personal security; it’s about what’s right for the group.
McDavid’s Contract Sends a Message to Every Other Oilers Player
The implications ripple across the franchise. Think about the message this sends to every other player in the room: win together or struggle alone. It tells the young kids in the lineup that standards matter, that culture is shaped by how leaders act when nobody’s (or when everybody’s) watching, and that loyalty to teammates can be worth more than any dollar figure. For Oilers fans, it’s a rare sight: a superstar putting the team above himself in a way that will resonate long after this contract expires.
And then there’s the legacy angle. Whether Edmonton finally wins a Stanley Cup with McDavid or not, whether he stays in the Oilers’ sweater for ten more years or moves on, this choice cements a different kind of leadership story. It’s a narrative that will survive beyond goals, assists, and highlight reels. McDavid’s legacy isn’t just what he scores or the records he breaks; it’s how he carries the team, the integrity he brings, and the quiet, uncompromising example he sets.
The McDavid / Oilers Contract Wasn’t Really a Negotiation
Bowman hinted at it, too — this wasn’t even really a negotiation. “You’re in a spot where you have to give Connor McDavid whatever he wants,” he shared. That’s unusual, even unprecedented. It’s rare to see a player wield such influence and choose not to exploit it for personal gain. That choice speaks volumes about his character and about the culture Edmonton is trying to cultivate.
Related: McDavid’s Future Is Oilers’ Biggest Gamble Since Gretzky
So, yes, it’s a surprise. But it shouldn’t be. McDavid has always been about the game first, and his decision here is just another chapter in a career defined by leadership on and off the ice. Watching him step up like this — putting team above self, setting an example quietly, decisively — is one of those moments that makes you stop and ask: why don’t more players do this?
McDavid made a bold, rare, and brilliant statement that could shape the Oilers’ culture for years.
The McDavid Contract Wasn’t About Money: It Was About Leadership
In the end, this isn’t a story about money — it’s about leadership. Every elite player knows he needs help to win a Stanley Cup, but few are willing to take a real cut to make it happen. By signing for less, McDavid gave Edmonton the kind of flexibility Minnesota only wishes it had with Kirill Kaprizov.
That’s putting your money where your mouth is — and McDavid just did it.
