Oilers' 3 biggest contract decisions and what they mean for the future roster

EDMONTON Everything starts with Connor McDavid when it comes to the Edmonton Oilers, and thats especially true now.

As another frustrating loss in the Stanley Cup Final for the Oilers shifts to offseason planning, McDavid, their captain and an all-time great, is eligible to sign a contract extension as early as July 1.

Its imperative to the organization that he stays beyond next season.

Its what matters above all else for the franchise and its fans.

Advertisement But McDavids contractual situation isnt the only deal worth focusing on in the weeks ahead when it comes to those currently on the roster.

Defenceman Evan Bouchard is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights and is due a big pay increase.

Forward Trent Frederic one of their two big acquisitions before the trade deadline is one of the seven pending UFAs, and several reports have surfaced that hes got a deal in place to return.

These three contracts have the potential to drastically alter the salary cap landscape for the Oilers for years to come.

Heres a look at what those players, and others, said during locker cleanout day and how any new pacts could affect the roster and its future construction.

Connor McDavid It was a down season by McDavids standards, with just 100 points.

He co-led the NHL with 33 points in the playoffs and had seven points in six games in the Cup Final, but was shut out in the clincher.

He said Thursday that he needs to be better.

Still, McDavid remains regarded as the leagues best player.

At 28, theres no reason why there arent tons of kilometres left on the engine.

McDavid is about to enter the last season of his $12.5 million AAV deal.

Hes worth whatever he asks for, which is the maximum 20 percent of a salary cap projected to be $104 million in 2026-27.

Its his if he wants it.

Money matters, but thats not necessarily his main objective.

McDavid said a lot of noteworthy things, less than two days removed from losing a second-straight Final a defeat that made him feel more anger compared to last years heartbreak.

He said Thursday he needs to do whats best for his family before opting to re-sign.

He said theres unfinished business here for this core thats been together for years and believes they can get over the hump.

He also reiterated something hes noted countless times when asked what factors hes considering.

Advertisement Winning is the most important thing, McDavid said.

Then he added this: If I feel that theres a good window to win here over and over again, then signing is no problem.

It was his most pointed comment of his 16-minute avail.

It was a direct message to management his longtime former agent Jeff Jackson, the hockey operations CEO, and GM Stan Bowman.

McDavid will be watching their decisions keenly over the next two weeks.

Its no wonder McDavid said he isnt in a rush to re-up on July 1, the first day of free agency.

Leon Draisaitl signed his eight-year extension on Sept.

3 last year.

Its the decision everyones waiting on with bated breath.

I havent really talked about it with Connor yet, Draisaitl said.

There comes a time where we (will) talk about it.

But theres nothing I can tell you right now that you want to hear or you need to hear.

Thats his situation.

Do I want him here forever? Yes, of course.

I think everybody does.

The expectation is that McDavid will be an Oiler beyond next season.

But theres a reasonable chance he doesnt take the maximum eight-year term on an extension, as colleague Chris Johnston reported .

Provided that happens, the Oilers will have to be ready to offer another raise sooner than they would have hoped off McDavids next and bigger AAV.

Evan Bouchard Provided McDavid re-signs this summer, his new contract strictly falls into the category of longer-term planning because it wont impact next seasons salary cap.

The same cant be said for Bouchards next deal.

Bouchard needs a new contract as an RFA and is about to get a sizable raise from his current $3.9 million cap hit.

Darnell Nurses $9.25 million cap hit is expected to be the baseline for Bouchards next AAV.

Bouchard is two years away from UFA status.

His counting stats, which are integral to an arbitrators decision, are off the charts.

Bouchard is eighth among NHL defencemen with 189 points over the last three seasons.

Hes third with 149 points over the last two campaigns.

Advertisement Thats to say nothing of him being the highest-scoring blueliner in each of the last three postseasons.

Thats the sign of a great hockey player.

The bigger the game, the bigger the moment, the better he is, assistant coach Paul Coffey told The Athletic during the final.

Thats a skill that not everybody has, McDavid said Thursday.

Does he make some boo-boos in November? Sure.

We all do.

His game has been just improving year after year.

It seems like month by month, he just gets better and better.

The Oilers would be best to lock him up now rather than delay another year if they see him as part of their long-term future.

Theres no reason to think they feel otherwise.

Jackson worked in concert with Bouchards agent, Dave Gagner, before joining the Oilers.

Bowman has been consistent in his desire to surround McDavid and Draisaitl with effective puck-moving defencemen.

Its why he brought in John Klingberg and Jake Walman this season.

And Bouchard is one of the NHLs best.

Theres the spectre of an offer sheet, something Bouchard didnt downplay Thursday, unlike when he was an RFA two years ago.

However, interested teams could have up until July 5 to make their best pitches.

Thats the deadline for player-elected salary arbitration notification.

The problem is the Oilers have less than $12 million in projected cap space, per PuckPedia, and thats before Frederic is addressed or the rest of the roster is filled out.

That puts players such as Evander Kane and Viktor Arvidsson in the crosshairs and maybe even Brett Kulak and Adam Henrique, too.

Kane has one season left on his $5.125 million AAV contract and can block a trade to half the league.

Arvidsson ($4 million, one year) has a full no-movement clause but wasnt pleased with his lack of playing time in the postseason.

Kulak isnt someone the Oilers desire to move, but there would be a market for him at one year and $2.75 million.

Henrique has another year at $3 million, but with a NMC like Arvidsson.

Advertisement Bouchard was tight-lipped about his contract situation, other than to say he wants to be an Oiler.

The smart money is on him returning regardless of the consequences to the roster.

Hes incredibly important to the group, McDavid said.

Definitely a deal that needs to get done and one that is really important for us.

Trent Frederic Any Bouchard deal promises to consume most of the available cap space the Oilers have.

Frederic is expected to eat up the rest and then some.

There are multiple reports that the 27-year-old hard-nosed forward and the Oilers are finalizing a lengthy contract (believed to be eight years) with an AAV between $3.5 million and $4 million.

Playing this time of year, with this group, and having a chance to do that year in, year out is why Id love to be back here, Frederic said.

The Oilers will surely have to shed some money off their books if Frederic comes back at that price tag.

Specifically, Kane is a prime candidate to be moved, given Frederic presents a cheaper alternative with a similar skill set.

Frederic wasnt noticeable often in the playoffs, recording a goal and four points in 22 games.

The ankle injury he suffered with his previous team, the Boston Bruins, in February and then reaggravated with the Oilers on April 5 hindered him.

Im not really thrilled with how I played through the playoffs, but thats the past, Frederic said.

Frederic was an effective penalty killer with the Bruins, but never got that chance as he got into the mix with the Oilers following his injury.

There could be a spot for him there next season.

Bowman pegged Frederic as a third-line centre or top-six winger after he shipped out a second-round pick and prospects Shane Lachance and Max Wanner in March to acquire Frederic with his $2.3 million cap hit quartered.

Those roles never materialized in the postseason.

Advertisement I would love to get opportunities, but youve got to earn it, Frederic said.

One of the things that can make me of value is I can play left (wing), centre and right.

Interestingly, Frederic expressed a desire to play up the middle more even full-time which means Henrique could eventually get pushed down the lineup if he returns.

The Oilers will need cheap options to round out the roster, especially up front, with Bouchards and Frederics contracts in tow.

Thats before the possibility of adding more money in net, too.

Pending UFAs Corey Perry, Connor Brown and Kasperi Kapanen are among the options there.

(Top photo of Connor McDavid: Codie McLachlan / Getty Images).

This article has been shared from the original article on theathleticuk, here is the link to the original article.