Rodgers Place erupted with excitement and raw emotion Friday afternoon as Edmonton Oilers captain and superstar center Connor McDavid stood before a crowd of fans and reporters, looked straight into the cameras, and declared: “I’m not going anywhere.”
With just seven words, McDavid put to rest months of swirling rumors and speculation about his future with the Oilers. The 28-year-old, widely regarded as the most electrifying player in the NHL, confirmed that he will return for the 2025–2026 season—his 11th with the team that drafted him first overall in 2015.
“I still believe in this group, this city, and this jersey,” McDavid said, drawing loud cheers from fans watching the live feed from the arena’s concourses and surrounding bars. “We’re not finished.”
A Turning Point After a Gut-Wrenching Finish
McDavid’s announcement comes just weeks after the Oilers’ heartbreaking loss in the Western Conference Finals, falling in six games to the Dallas Stars. Despite McDavid’s stellar postseason performance—including 10 goals and 21 assists in 17 playoff games—the team fell short of its ultimate goal: bringing the Stanley Cup back to Edmonton for the first time since 1990.
Many expected that loss, paired with the expiration of key contracts and questions about the team’s direction, might push McDavid to explore other options. Some speculated he might request a trade or opt to test free agency in 2026 rather than commit to a long-term future in Alberta.
But on Friday, he made his feelings clear.
“This is my home. I was drafted here. I’ve grown up here—not just as a player, but as a man. I want to win here,” McDavid said.
A Bold Promise from Kris Knoblauch
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch, who took over early in the 2023–24 season and led the team to back-to-back playoff runs, spoke shortly after McDavid, revealing that he and the front office had been working closely with the captain in recent weeks to reshape the team’s strategy for the upcoming season.
And Knoblauch didn’t hold back.
“We’re going to make Connor McDavid a champion,” Knoblauch said. “Whatever it takes—roster adjustments, system tweaks, support staff—he’s earned everything, and we’re building this team around ensuring he lifts that Cup.”
Knoblauch also praised McDavid’s leadership behind closed doors, citing his work ethic and accountability as a major reason why younger players like Dylan Holloway and Xavier Bourgault have blossomed in recent years.
“When your best player is also your hardest-working guy, it changes the entire culture of a locker room,” Knoblauch said.
Fanbase and City React
The reaction across Edmonton was immediate and emotional. Within minutes of the press conference, social media flooded with messages of gratitude and excitement. Hashtags like #McDavidStays and #UnfinishedBusiness began trending in Canada, while fans congregated outside Rodgers Place waving flags and chanting McDavid’s name.
“It’s like we just won Game 7,” said fan Nathan Trudeau, who took a long lunch break to watch the press conference on his phone. “I thought he was gone. But now? I believe again.”
Oilers president of hockey operations Ken Holland echoed the sentiment, calling McDavid’s decision “a culture-defining moment” for the franchise.
“We’ve had legends wear this sweater,” Holland said. “But Connor—he’s carving out something unique. This isn’t just about staying. It’s about building a legacy.”
Looking Ahead: Building a Contender
With McDavid’s commitment secure, attention now turns to roster construction. The Oilers are expected to be aggressive in free agency and the trade market this summer. The team has cap flexibility following the likely departures of veteran contracts and is rumored to be eyeing upgrades on the blue line and in net.
Leon Draisaitl’s contract status also looms large, but sources say McDavid’s decision could influence the German forward’s own future in Edmonton. The duo has been one of the most dynamic tandems in league history, and keeping them together could be critical to the Oilers’ Cup hopes.
As for McDavid, he’s already looking forward.
“I don’t need headlines. I don’t need drama. I need that Cup,” he said. “This team’s hungry. I’m hungrier. Let’s get to work.”
A Rallying Cry
For a city that lives and breathes hockey, Friday’s announcement felt like more than just a contract decision—it felt like a promise. A rallying cry from the face of the franchise. And if Connor McDavid has anything to say about it, the best is still ahead for the Edmonton Oilers.
