Off The Crossbar

With Opening Week underway, most clubs have shifted their focus towards playing at the top of their game for as long as they can in hopes of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs. For some, like the Oilers, Golden Knights and Jets, who already look like playoff locks in the Western Conference, the past few days have held a different priority: contract extensions. All three teams locked down players that have been instrumental to recent franchise success in Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Kyle Connor, respectively, giving them the ability to look past the newest campaign and towards the future in terms of contract negotiations. 

Connor McDavid, 2 years, $12.5 million AAV 

Perhaps the most shocking contract extension on this list, Connor McDavid turned heads on October 6th when he announced on social media that he had agreed to a contract extension to stay in Edmonton through the 2027-28 season. The contract, which comes out to a total of $25 million, is a bargain for Edmonton in more ways than one; given the recent state of contract extensions in the NHL, most notably Kirill Kaprizov getting handed $17 million a year from the Minnesota Wild, the Oilers were able to avoid making McDavid the highest paid player in League history for just a little while longer. Most fans and people around the sport can agree that Edmonton is grossly underpaying their modern franchise player, especially when you consider the Ontario native sits among the top 10 in franchise history in all major categories among names like Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and Jari Kurri, not to mention fellow teammate Leon Draisaitl. However, the team-friendly deal signals to me that McDavid isn’t set on staying long-term just yet, but is willing to give Edmonton a few more chances at the Cup before signing a long-term deal, and when that day comes, you can bet it will be all anyone is talking about. 

Jack Eichel, 8 years, $13.5 million AAV

Vegas found themselves in the news before the season began as they placed Alex Pietrangelo on LTIR and were able to free up cap space for the upcoming campaign, but different headlines kept them there as they announced an extension for Jack Eichel on October 8th. As the lone Stanley Cup champion on this list, Eichel has proven he can translate regular season success into playoff experience, winning it all in his first go; the Massachusetts product tallied 6-20—26 in 22 GP throughout the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs en route to hoisting Lord Stanley for the first time in his career. Those numbers landed him as a candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy that year as well, but the award eventually went to then-teammate Jonathan Marchessault; nevertheless, the center has shown that when it matters, he can be counted on. Eichel joins the Golden Knights’ recent signee Mitch Marner in Nevada through the end of the 2033-34 NHL season, with the pair looking to keep playing on the top line for the 2022-23 Stanley Cup winners in hopes of bringing the trophy back to Vegas when it’s all said and done.   

Kyle Connor, 8 years, $12 million AAV

The Jets had money to spend coming into this season— and spend they did. After the departure of Nikolaj Ehlers to the Hurricanes this past summer, Winnipeg turned its eyes towards Kyle Connor, who was at that point, entering the final year of a 7-year, $50 million extension. The left winger led the team in goals, assists, and points while playing in every single contest for the Jets in 2024-25, proving that he is more than capable of carrying the team offensively if need be. His contract proved to be a top priority for 2024-25 President’s Trophy winners, and the two sides reached an agreement on October 8th when Connor inked a deal worth $96 million, keeping him in a Jets uniform through the end of the 2033-34 season. In addition to his play this past campaign, Connor has continuously proven his worth throughout his tenure in Winnipeg, recording 287-298–585 in 613 GP in the regular season dating back to his debut in 2016-17. Those totals, which are all top-five in franchise history, are sure to grow throughout his next contract in Winnipeg, giving Jets’ and hockey fans alike something to look forward to as the 2025-26 campaign gets underway.