Connor McDavid re‑signed with the Edmonton Oilers for $12.5 million per year last October, a deal that now looks like a bargain compared with the league’s rising salaries.

However, the contract expires after the 2027‑28 season, meaning McDavid could become a free agent in the summer of 2028, a scenario that could force Edmonton to rebuild if they fail to deliver a championship.

Mike Babcock was chased out of the league three years ago and has not coached an NHL game since 2020. The Oilers are gambling that Babcock might have some answers for winning a Cup, hoping his tactical knowledge will complement McDavid’s skill.

The gamble ties the franchise’s immediate Cup hopes to a coach whose reputation is mixed, while also putting pressure on the front office to keep McDavid under contract beyond 2028.