McDavid’s Savings Paying Off for Red-Hot Oilers Defenseman

Connor McDavid’s recent team-first contract extension is already paying dividends for the Edmonton Oilers. By keeping his salary steady at $12.5 million per season, the Oilers realistically saved about $5 million or more on the extension. They quickly turned around and used that money to sign defenseman Jake Walman. It appears that was a wise decision.

McDavid’s new deal gave the team the cap flexibility to invest in key players — none more evident than the seven-year extension handed out to Walman. Since returning this season, Walman has five points in five games, including a clutch overtime game-winner.

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McDavid, who signed a two-year, $25 million extension, said the move wasn’t about personal gain; it was about giving the Oilers the best chance to compete for a Stanley Cup. “It’s not a hard calculation to figure out,” McDavid said. “Take too much, and the team can’t augment the roster. I want to win a Stanley Cup here, and that’s what matters.” He added, “The money they’ve gotten back is money they can go spend. That was the feeling.”

That financial flexibility allowed Edmonton to reward Walman with a significant raise, doubling his salary to $7 million on a seven-year deal starting next season. For a second-pairing defenseman (who has recently taken on the role of helping snap Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard out of his early-season funks), that’s a major investment. Walman is showing why the Oilers made it.

His early-season contributions — including timely goals and solid defensive play — are proving the value of McDavid’s team-first thinking.

Walman won’t be the only player the Oilers give money to after the McDavid deal. Mattias Ekholm was re-signed, Vasily Podkolzin got a new deal, and more are coming. Forward Adam Henrique said, “When players take less, it gives the team a chance to add another $4–5 million player rather than a $900,000 one.” The Oilers are expected to go shopping at the trade deadline.

Walman discussed how happy he was to sign a long-term deal with the Oilers, stating he felt like he was meant to be in Edmonton. He noted that re-upping with the organization was one of the easiest decisions he’s ever made in his NHL career.

As the season progresses, Walman’s hot start is a big part of their 5-4-2 record. The Oilers know they can be playing better as a group, but Walman has arguably been their best defenseman. Ensuring he was locked in once the McDavid contract was done turned out to be a smart way to spend some of the savings.

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