Connor McDavid may be trending toward a major change on his next contract

Earlier this season, a number of anonymous scouts and executives were polled on the expected dollar value of Connor McDavid's next contract - and most expect him to take the maximum value.

In the earlier interview with the Athletic, multiple agents stressed that McDavid needs to take the maximum value to reset the market value for superstar players. It makes sense agents want to up the price of contracts, and McDavid will face real outside pressure to do so.

Now Oilers analyst Allan Mitchell is predicting that McDavid will in fact sign for the total of 20% of the salary cap. However, also pointing out that McDavid reportedly called the night before signing his first deal to take off millions per year in salary.

Even though McDavid will be facing pressure from agents, business interests, and other players to take the maximum value, in a rare interview this year the Oilers captain stressed he wasn't interested in setting a new dollar figure record.

Although McDavid may not himself even want to push the envelope for the most salary possible, the pressure from other parties and the realties of the business world will at least force a raise above the Draisaitl contract.

Hopefully McDavid is signed long term to a contract to stay in Edmonton - and that's really it. He's worth every penny of even a max contract, and if that's what he asks for, the Oilers should pay him.