‘That’s a lot of money’: Oilers’ Connor McDavid talks soaring NHL salaries

HENDERSON, Nev. — Want to know something wild?

By 2027-28, a minimum of 10 NHL players, probably more, will earn an average annual salary equal to or higher than Connor McDavid’s once-groundbreaking $12.5 million.

McDavid is in his prime. He’s ripping through record books, and this past June he accepted the Ted Lindsay Award (again, for a fifth time) as hockey’s most outstanding player as voted on by his peers.

Yet since the Edmonton Oilers captain re-upped for a two-year contract extension that kicks in now, some of those peers are leaving the speedy McDavid in the dust — financially speaking, of course.

McDavid’s Team Canada teammate, Cale Makar, is hot off an eight-year extension that will pay him $20.4 million per season. Young stars Macklin Celebrini ($18.8 million), Leo Carlsson ($18 million), and Connor Bedard ($15 million) all inked whoppers this summer despite their RFA status.

In 2027-28, Chicago defenceman Bowen Byram will match McDavid’s direct deposit despite a considerable gap in fame and talent.

And all signs point to Minnesota’s Quinn Hughes (UFA 2027) joining teammate Kirill Kaprizov ($17 million) in the growing I-Make-More-Than-McDavid Club.

So… what was the consensus Best Player on Earth thinking about all these gigantic paydays?

“I was thinking: That’s a lot of money. That’s a lot of money that they all signed for, and deservedly so,” McDavid told Sportsnet Tuesday during the NHL’s annual Player Media Tour.

“You know, it’s been a long time coming for our league, to see some of those numbers. Good on those guys for pushing for that. You’re slowly starting to see some player ownership in terms of things.”

McDavid pointed to the growing trend of stars pushing for where they want to play, how many years they wish to sign for, and using their leverage to gather larger chunks of a growing salary pie.

“That’s all positive stuff, as a player. I’m sure ownership and management have some different thoughts, but as a player, I think it’s all great things,” McDavid said. “Yeah, the landscape has definitely changed. It’s been fun to watch.”

More fun to watch: How will McDavid — who gave the Oilers a generous “hometown” discount on a unique two-year extension to assist management with its cap issues — treat his 2028 contract, with his previous standard getting blown out of the water?

For now, though, the centreman is focused on ending Canada’s Stanley Cup drought — a goal that has become increasingly difficult in Calgary (Matthew Tkachuk), Ottawa (Brady Tkachuk), Vancouver (Hughes) and Winnipeg (Connor Hellebuyck) as U.S.-born stars ask for trades.

“I don’t know if it’s Americans wanting to leave Canada or if it’s simply just they don’t see the opportunity to win on that specific team,” McDavid said, without naming names.

The captain pointed to Edmonton’s recent signings of Americans Ryan Shea and Trent Frederic.

“Americans still want to play in Canada. At least, that’s the sense that I get. They want to play for teams where they see a future. I don’t know anyone’s situation or opinions how they feel about their specific team,” McDavid said.

“I hope it’s not because they don’t want to be in Canada. Canada and the U.S. has had a great relationship for years and years and years, and I hope that continues for a long time.”