The first question hanging out there is contract length. Reports earlier in the offseason suggested McDavid may not even go for the full eight-year deal but rather a shorter four-year pact to get back to free agency when the salary cap has ballooned again.

The Oilers used the lead-up merely to retain talent. They gave a max-term contract to forward Trent Frederic, gave top dollar to pending RFA Evan Bouchard, and brought back Kasperi Kapanen and Noah Philp on low-cost deals.

Bowman said he is waiting for McDavid and his agent, Judd Moldaver, to initiate negotiations on a new contract. McDavid can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2026.