Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid’s uncertain contract situation has gotten to the point where the Canadian government has taken note.
In a speech delivered to the Liberal Caucus in Edmonton on September 10, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged the Oilers to get a deal done with their franchise player.
Carney, during his speech, made the following remarks seemingly in jest:
“We are in a crisis, the global trading system has been upended, supply chains have been destroyed, McDavid is unsigned.”
The comments referred to serious situations Canada faces as a country. Trade, politics, and international relations remain at the forefront of the Canadian policy agenda. But adding Connor McDavid’s contract situation as another one of the country’s issues makes it clear that hockey is not just a game to Canadians.
Carney added:
“And Connor, if there’s anything we can do in the upcoming budget, we’re spending less and investing more, so we can bring that Cup back to Canada.”
Canada’s three-decade-long Stanley Cup drought will be at the forefront of Canadian fans’ minds this season. The Oilers have come painfully close to winning a Stanley Cup, with Connor McDavid leading the way.
Connor McDavid Frustrated with Oilers
Fans around the NHL have wondered why Connor McDavid has yet to sign with the Oilers. The last time McDavid was due for a new deal, there was hardly any drama behind the negotiations.
But this time around, things seem much more complicated. Yes, McDavid is an established superstar. He’s won just about everything any player can win. But there might be more brewing beneath the surface.
In the latest episode of his 32 Thoughts Podcast, Elliotte Friedman discussed why he believes McDavid is reluctant to re-sign with the Oilers. Friedman stated:
“When someone asks me what this is all about, it’s two losses in a row in the Finals, and he can’t freaking stand it. It makes him crazy.”
The statement sends a powerful message about why the 28-year-old is unwilling to rubber-stamp his next contract.
Of course, the comments are Friedman’s opinions. There isn’t any evidence to back up his claims. But Friedman is about as reliable as they come in the NHL insider world. That’s why there could be far more to Friedman’s remarks than meets the eye.
Edmonton Would Re-Sign McDavid in a Heartbeat
The prevailing thought is that the Oilers would automatically okay a contract extension for McDavid whenever he felt like it.
This summer, Oilers GM Stan Bowman’s comments were clear about the club’s disposition to sign McDavid at his convenience. But that’s where things seem to hit a snag. McDavid could well just put the drama behind him and get a deal over with.
But by delaying a decision, he’s only adding to the tension already surrounding the team. One has to wonder until what point McDavid’s situation will become a distraction. It might not seem like it, but it has already taken attention away from the Oilers’ quest for a third-straight Stanley Cup Finals appearance.
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