Edmonton’s front office is eyeing two PTO options in Klim Kostin and Brett Leason, signaling a push for roster depth as Connor McDavid’s extension talk heats up. Kostin, a former Oiler, and Leason, a local Alberta product, could fill a winger slot if training camp opens with questions answered about McDavid’s future. Podkolzin remains a wild-card in Oilers’ plans, with a multi-year extension floated and cap-pressures weighed by young guns Isaac Howard and Matt Savoie, plus Andrew Mangiapane’s arrival. Rumors linger around McDavid, Eichel, and McTavish as front offices prepare for a busy summer of negotiations ahead of the 2025-26 season.

In this shifting landscape, fantasy managers should monitor how these moves pressurize Edmonton’s top-six, power play roles, and cap flexibility. Kostin and Leason could quietly become favorable depth options if they secure spots, while Podkolzin’s status could ripple through line combos and ice time in both regular-season and postseason rotations. The pipeline—Howard, Savoie, and Mangiapane—adds upside for opportunistic late-round picks and potential breakout candidates in dynasty formats.

Connor McDavid’s contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers appears likely to be settled soon, with an announcement planned after Team Canada’s orientation camp (Aug 26–28) in Calgary and before Oilers captain skates and camp open in September. The buzz suggests a short-term pact—either two or four years—with an AAV in the neighborhood of $16 million to $17.5 million, effectively ruling out an eight-year deal this cycle. The timeline aligns McDavid with other extensions entertained in Oilers circles, including Mattias Ekholm, and even names like Vasily Podkolzin entering the same speculative orbit. Edmonton reportedly has more work to do in the coming 3–4 weeks to finalize the deal, a window in which cap considerations and roster planning will be tested. Stauffer’s late-July insinuations that extensions could land by Aug. 28 echo in the current chatter, making this summer one of the more consequential cap moves for both team and player in years. The Team Canada camp context — Olympic prep for 2026 in Italy — adds a layer of urgency for a clean, public contract, ensuring McDavid isn’t left with distractions when the season looms. The short-term path would keep McDavid’s elite production intact while preserving Oilers’ flexibility to shape the rest of the roster around him.

For fantasy managers, the upshot is clarity on McDavid’s near-term ceiling: a premium asset with a high floor who will be anchored by a manageable term rather than a marathon deal that limits team-building moves. The potential extension window could also influence Edmonton’s defense and supporting cast, given cap dynamics and the possibility of Ekholm’s deal in the same timeframe. Podkolzin’s name surfaces as a companion storyline in the “2 Mutts Hockey” chatter, signaling how top-end extensions can shape multiple rosters across the league. As Oilers brass navigate the next 3–4 weeks, every move will tilt both on-ice value and fantasy projections for the upcoming season, with McDavid’s AAV and term likely setting the tone for the league’s top-tier contracts.

In short, McDavid’s extension appears poised to be short-term and premium, with a late-August public reveal, and with Ekholm, Podkolzin, and others possibly factoring into the broader cap-ahead dialogue. The plan to announce before captain skates hints at a clean agenda: lock in McDavid’s immediate future, preserve Edmonton’s core, and keep room for strategic moves as the Oilers chase another deep run — all while fantasy managers recalibrate expectations around AAV, term, and surrounding talent.

Connor McDavid, fresh off another Stanley Cup Final appearance, has become the center of contract extension discussions for the Edmonton Oilers. With July 1 marking his eligibility for an extension, insiders predict negotiations will ramp up soon. NHL commentator Bob Stauffer anticipates a flurry of extensions by August 28, potentially covering McDavid along with teammates Mattias Ekholm, Jake Walman, and Vasily Podkolzin.

Stauffer, alongside fellow insider Frank Seravalli, confidently stated that McDavid is likely to re-sign with the Oilers, a move that hinges on the team's competitive aspirations. McDavid himself has expressed a willingness to remain if he sees a strong championship window. He is coming off an impressive season with over 100 points in just 67 games, further solidifying his status as a pivotal player for the Oilers.

The Western Conference Finals begin with the Dallas Stars taking on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1. A well-crafted lineup is crucial for fantasy enthusiasts looking to maximize their potential earnings. The ideal captain choice is Thomas Harley of the Stars, showcasing his importance on the power play and recent performance against the Jets. Leon Draisaitl offers a reliable scoring option from the Oilers, while Mikko Rantanen provides offensive firepower for Dallas despite some inconsistency. The lineup features solid contributors like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Mikael Granlund, each positioned to capitalize on their respective team dynamics. Lastly, Vasily Podkolzin rounds out the roster at a budget-friendly price, making this lineup both competitive and cost-effective.