McDavid is central to a hypothetical earnings-maxims strategy, illustrating what top players could demand if cap algebra evolves and owners align incentives to maximize Stanley Cup odds.

McDavid's deal serves as a market benchmark; Kaprizov watches how the top-dollar contracts unfold as the cap grows.

Kaprizov and McDavid are linked in the narrative, with Edmonton serving as a parallel case where superstar leverage and team-building around a core affect contract structures and championship windows.

McDavid anchors Edmonton's fantasy upside; any shift in his usage or team context reverberates through line combinations and PP deployment. A Leafs pursuit would be seismic, potentially boosting Toronto’s firepower while reconfiguring Edmonton’s surrounding cast and cap strategy.

Connor McDavid anchors the 16M benchmark; Eichel's 13-14M discussion sets a contrast against the league's top earner and frames value across the cap.