Auston Matthews has powerful response to Connor McDavid’s new contract

On Monday, one day before NHL opening night, Connor McDavid signed a two-year extension with the Edmonton Oilers. Now, fellow superstar Auston Matthews is sharing his honest thoughts on McDavid’s new deal.

Connor McDavid’s new contract with the Edmonton Oilers sent shockwaves throughout the hockey world on Monday. Signing for $12.5 million annually over two years, McDavid gave the Oilers a big discount considering how much the salary cap is expected to rise in the 2026–2027 season. It’s also a relatively low salary compared to Kirill Kaprizov’s new contract with the Minnesota Wild, which carries an annual salary of $17 million over the next eight years.

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Matthews on Connor McDavid’s new contract

McDavid’s discount gives the Oilers valuable cap space to bring in quality players who can help them finally win the Stanley Cup after falling short against the Florida Panthers two seasons in a row. When Auston Matthews, who makes $13.25 million annually, was asked about McDavid’s new contract, his answer said everything you need to know about Connor McDavid.
“I think for him, you know, it’s all about winning. It’s setting him up for the best opportunity to do that. I’ve been fortunate to get to know him over the years, and I know that in my time around him, that’s the main thing he obviously wants to do — and what everybody wants to do — which is to win. And he’s just as committed as anybody to winning,” Matthews said.

”Everybody’s situation is different”

When asked how McDavid’s contract might affect other star players’ negotiations, Matthews had this to say:
“I think everybody’s situation is different. Obviously, every team’s situation is different. The cap’s going up — you know, it’s tough to envision what the landscape is gonna look like. But in the end, I think you always want to find a happy medium between what helps the team and puts the team in a good situation, as well as yourself,” Matthews explained.

"I think for him, it's all about winning. It's setting himself up for the best opportunity to do that…It's what everybody wants to do, is to win. He's committed as anybody to it."

Auston Matthews reflects on Connor McDavid’s extension.
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