Connor McDavid signed a two year extension with the Edmonton Oilers worth 25 million total and 12.5 million per season, keeping the star center under contract through at least the 2027-28 window. The deal preserves his 12.5 million cap hit while extending his tenure in Edmonton after he was nearing free agency following the 2025-26 season. Edmonton opens 2025-26 vs Calgary with McDavid locked in for the near term, signaling stability as the team pursues a deep playoff run.

Market context shows McDavid joining a crowded top earners list by cap hit, with Draisaitl at 14M and Matthews at 13.25M among the league leaders. The largest NHL contracts all time are Kirill Kaprizov at 136M over eight years and Ovechkin at 124M over 13 years, underscoring McDavid’s position among the truly elite players even as the Oilers negotiate long term. The extension comes after reported talks from well respected insiders and caps off a narrative of Edmonton prioritizing McDavid as the franchise cornerstone.

Fantasy impact centers on McDavid’s continued supremacy and the Oilers’ ability to build around him. With McDavid and Draisaitl anchored, Edmonton remains a favorable environment for big point outputs, while the two year frame keeps options flexible for future roster moves. Expect McDavid to drive Shooting and Points upside while the Oilers manage cap flexibility for supporting pieces around him.

Mikko Rantanen’s Dallas debut reshapes the Stars’ Cup odds, pairing his two-way game with a thriving Oettinger-led net. Colorado’s return of Landeskog shores up a veteran core around MacKinnon and Makar, while Blackwood’s addition gives the Avalanche a reliable postseason floor. The Central remains a brutal gauntlet with Winnipeg, Chicago and Nashville in pursuit.

Gulutzan takes over in Dallas as Trotz and Tourigny loom in leadership roles elsewhere, Bedard’s Chicago era begins, and Utah’s young core signals a pipeline move. The projected finish stays Colorado, Dallas, Winnipeg at the top, with a crowded chase behind them and fantasy implications across every line.