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Insider reveals NHLPA's response to Connor McDavid's historic discount


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Michael Amatulli
October 7, 2025  (5:39 PM)
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Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl celebrate after scoring a goal during a road game
Photo credit: Imagn Images

In an Oilersnation podcast, the hosts discussed the possible NHLPA fallout of Connor McDavid signing a deeply-discounted, team-friendly deal.

Analysts react to Connor McDavid's contract extension

You almost had to expect that analysts and fans across the NHL would share their opinion's about the signing, given the hype that was generated pre-extension, and the impact such a signing would have on the NHLPA membership.
Here's what Oilersnation had to say about the issue:
"Connor being in his situation, being the best player in the world, being able to dictate whatever he wants to...that applies to the overall dollar value as well, with the rest of the constituents over at the NHLPA. I don't think anyone's gonna give Connor s**** for the fact that he signed for what he signed for.

It is true that McDavid could have asked for the full 20% of the team's salary cap and no one in the Oilers' organization would have objected. But taking the $12.5M instead showed the kind of teammate he is - one with a team-first mentality.
Of course, the NHLPA's possible objection to the discounted salary would be the salary-benchmark Connor has set, potentially throwing the player pecking order out of whack. Team's will try to use the McDavid salary as an argument to pay its stars less, perhaps.
None it really matters for the Oilers, however, being ecstatic just to have the Captain for an additional two years, at a cap hit that helps the team build a perennial contender.
"Everyone's saying the NHLPA is gonna be livid with McDavid about this," the Oilersnation analyst said. "Why? It's a cap system; there's only so much to go around to players, like Connor taking $12.M instead of $18.5M just means another NHL player is gonna get the $6M."

I suppose it all works out in the end. The Oilers are happy; Connor McDavid is happy; and Oilers Nation is happy.
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Insider reveals NHLPA's response to Connor McDavid's historic discount

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