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.

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.

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.