Connor McDavid signed a two-year contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers before the 2025-26 season, taking a discount in the process.
What happened?
The Oilers then spent nearly $12 million on Jason Dickinson, Connor Murphy, and Trent Frederic, moves that have been met with disappointment from fans and analysts.
The Athletic's Thomas Drance criticized the Oilers' decision, stating that it was "genuinely wild work" to convince McDavid to take a discount only to spend the money on lesser players.
Why it matters for Connor McDavid
The Oilers' failure to bring in more impactful players may hinder McDavid's ability to lead the team to success, and fans are growing impatient.
Darnell Nurse has requested a trade out of Edmonton, which could lead to more changes for the team.
What comes next?
The Oilers may need to explore trades to bring in more talented players to support McDavid, and the upcoming season will be crucial in determining the team's direction.
The Oilers' moves have been underwhelming so far, and the pressure is on to make significant improvements before the new season begins.
The hope for Oilers fans is that McDavid will have more impressive help around him when the new season arrives, but for now, the team's lack of action is a concern.
On the 2025-26 season, the Oilers will need to make significant changes to compete with top teams, and McDavid's contract extension will be a key factor in the team's success.
The Oilers' decision to re-sign depth pieces like Dickinson and Murphy has been questioned, and the team's lack of exploration for upgrades is a concern.
The Oilers have not rushed to make significant changes, and the team's fans are growing impatient, waiting for the team to make moves to support McDavid.