Connor McDavid's salary may be driven up by another NHL superstar

Of course, when that group of pending UFAs includes the best player in the world, the likelihood of a new salary-ceiling is pretty good. Yet, it's the other stars whose impact on the game has been considerable, that could push payrolls even higher.

Analyst Ryan Rischaug suggests that McDavid will sign an extension for $16M AAV, on a 4-yeal deal, or just below that amount if he decides on a shorter term.

Keep in mind, however, that Connor McDavid is eligible to receive 20% of the 2026-27 team salary cap of $104M, or $20.8M. Granted, that number could decrease, depending on the term of McDavid's next deal - but he is entitled to ask for the maximum salary, and Edmonton would gladly pay.

Yet, according to Elliotte Friedman, pending-free agent Krill Kaprisov could also sign for $16M AAV, though on an 8-year term.

The comparisons, however, between McDavid and Kaprisov don't suggest equal pay. Though the Wild's star is without question one of the NHL's better forwards (319GP-185G-201A), he is not Connor McDavid, who scored 100-plus points 3-times (and another of 97Pts) in his first 5-years in the league, to Kaprisov's 1.

If Krill Kaprisov were to sign an extension before McDavid, and as Rischaug suggests takes $16M AAV, then Connor would have no choice but to take more than $16M, because of the league-wide ramifications, and because he is the better player.

When you consider Connor's new deal in terms of other top pending-free agents, it's easy to see why his contract negotiation is not so cut-and-dry, and has substantially more moving parts for which to account.