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Connor McDavid’s long-term future in Edmonton<\/a> remains a major topic around the NHL, but Oilers insider Bob Stauffer believes the captain is not going anywhere.<\/p>\n Speaking on Sportsnet 590 The Fan, Stauffer said he expects McDavid’s next contract to keep him in Edmonton for several more years.<\/p>\n “I don’t think there’s anybody more committed to Edmonton than Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl,” Stauffer said. “I expect the next contract that Connor McDavid signs to be a 7-year extension.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Stauffer noted that seven years will become the maximum contract term under the updated collective bargaining agreement beginning in 2027. He also spoke about the importance of involving star players in organizational decisions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/template><\/p>\n “You empower the players to be involved in key decisions, that’s the way of the future,” Stauffer said. “When you empower the players, I think you end up getting greater conviction from them.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n McDavid is currently under contract through the 2027-28 season after signing a two-year, $25 million extension with Edmonton. Once that deal expires, he will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.<\/p>\n A seven-year extension would put to rest much of the speculation surrounding McDavid’s future and ensure that Edmonton keeps its franchise player for the long term.<\/p>\n The Oilers are coming off a disappointing 2025-26 season that ended with a first-round playoff loss to the Anaheim Ducks<\/a>. Despite the early exit, McDavid once again added to his list of individual accomplishments during the season.<\/p>\n Connor McDavid continued to add to his already impressive r\u00e9sum\u00e9 during the 2025-26 season. The Oilers captain won the Ted Lindsay Award for the fifth time in his career, tying Wayne Gretzky<\/a> for the most wins in the award’s history. The honor is voted on by NHL players and recognizes the league’s most outstanding player.<\/p>\n “This award, coming from the guys that you play against every single night and battle against every single night, to have them recognize me with an award like this, means so much,” McDavid said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The 29-year-old led the NHL with 138 points this season, finishing with 48 goals and 90 assists. He recorded points in 68 of the 82 games he played including 43 multi-point performances.<\/p>\n McDavid also reached two significant milestones during the campaign scoring his 400th career NHL goal and registering his 1,200th point. Since entering the league in 2015-16, no player has recorded more points than the Oilers captain.<\/p>\nConnor McDavid remains among the NHL’s elite players<\/h2>\n