Connor McDavid Says His Future in Edmonton 'Remains to be Seen'

In an uncomfortable new interview dropped Wednesday morning on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Connor McDavid told Elliotte Friedman that it "remains to be seen" what his future holds after this season.

In a long sit-down interview, McDavid reiterated his stance that he is going to continue to take his time to make a decision. He made clear that he has faith in this Edmonton Oilers team—for this season. And for those who thought he'd be signed, sealed and delivered by the start of training camp... think again.

I think people just kind of assumed that things were going to happen, and it just goes to show that not everybody knows exactly what’s going on. My wife and I obviously love being here in Edmonton, and we have every intention, as I said, to win here in Edmonton.
I’ve all the faith in the world in this 2025-26 season. Beyond that…still remains to be seen. We have time. It’s our decision…We’ve earned that.

He continued to play up the fact that he believes "all the pieces are here for 2025-26", but the uncertainty of what's "beyond that" might have plenty of Oilers fans getting pretty nervous just about now.

McDavid says beyond 2025-26, 'remains to be seen'

It's pretty obvious at this point, after these comments, that McDavid will most likely be playing out this season without signing an extension, and he's fine with that. As we've heard over and over again, he's going to take his time.

“I’ve said since June, I’m going to take my time with it, and I still intend to do that. That’s a big decision. It’s not something I take lightly or my family takes lightly….Everything in my life’s been building to be here and be in this position and be in this moment. And it’s not something that I’m just going to dream up and decide, you know, I’m going to think it over.”

And finally, on the last question about this subject, about what he needs to see in order to re-sign, McDavid answered very carefully and gingerly, a comment that just sounded a little uncertain, and that no doubt added to the growing anxiety in Oil Country:

"All the pieces are here, um—for '25-'26. It's gonna be a.. a feeling... It's gonna be, uh... When the time’s right, the moment’s right. I think it’ll just be a... feeling, But... As of right now, just excited to get the season going, really.”

You can read into that what you will, but you can just hear how uncomfortable he is answering that question.