NHL insider hints at source of McDavid contract hold-up

On the one hand, Elliotte Freidman states that Connor may not have been happy with his own play during the last two playoffs, and blames himself for losing.

Of course, Connor McDavid is a consumate professional and holds himself accountable for his part in the Stanley Cup losses, despite having been the best points-producer in the Finals from both Edmonton and Florida.

Having said this, sources close to McDavid suggest he is willing to leave money on the negotiating table to keep the Oilers competitive and give his team the best chance of winning a Stanley Cup.

Connor McDavid must also consider the external ramifications of deciding on the annual salary of his next deal, which will set the standard across the league and impact future negotiations of players like Jack Eichel and Krill Kaprisov, also pending free agents.

The NHLPA would love nothing more than to have high salaries for its membership players, while the NHL, and its franchise teams prefer lower payrolls, and bigger bottom-lines.

Elliotte Friedman referred to the scenario as a 'push-and-pull dynamic'. While McDavid's instinct is to negotiate a fair deal for the Oilers and its future-ability to win championships, taking the maximum salary the CBA allows raises the bar for everyone else.

There is plenty to think about where McDavid's 'historic' contract negotiation is concerned, the outcome of which has many ramifications. For Connor, he must consider them all.