Edmonton Oilers fans are furious after the team squandered $12 million of cap space on Jason Dickinson, Connor Murphy and Trent Frederic—players who won’t elevate Connor McDavid’s already star-studded attack. The move, finalized before free agency opened, leaves McDavid with a supporting cast that fails to justify his $12 million salary discount from his two-year extension signed in 2025.
What happened? The Oilers locked McDavid to a two-year deal at a reduced rate last year, freeing up cap space to upgrade his teammates. Instead of targeting impact players, they re-signed Dickinson, Murphy and Frederic—depth forwards who won’t change the team’s trajectory. The Athletic’s Thomas Drance called it a baffling decision: *“Convincing the single most impactful individual player I’ve ever watched to leave money on the table, only to turn around and sign nearly $12 million worth of Connor Murphy, Jason Dickinson and Trent Frederic is genuinely wild work.”*
Why it matters for Connor McDavid McDavid’s contract extension hinged on the Oilers using the saved cap to improve his surroundings. But the trio signed—none of whom are top-line threats—means he’ll enter the 2025-26 season without meaningful reinforcements. The team’s failure to explore upgrades leaves McDavid isolated in a lineup that won’t push for another Stanley Cup.
What comes next? With Darnell Nurse reportedly seeking a trade, the Oilers may finally act. But the damage is done: McDavid’s supporting cast remains underwhelming. Fans now demand bold moves—not just depth—to justify the cap spend. The question is whether Edmonton will finally address the gaping hole around its franchise player.
Key figures:
- Connor McDavid (Oilers, $12M discount on extension)
- Jason Dickinson, Connor Murphy, Trent Frederic (new $12M trio)
- Darnell Nurse (requested trade)
- Thomas Drance (The Athletic analyst)