Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid’s offseason spotlight briefly shifted off the ice this weekend when his wife, Lauren Kyle, shared images of an “end of summer” dinner party as fans wait for an announcement on a contract extension.
The Oilers superstar, who is preparing for Canada’s Olympic orientation camp in Calgary this week, appeared in several of Kyle’s Instagram stories alongside her and some other guests.
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It’s fair to assume that Kyle prepared the gathering, building a decoration around green-themed details, including gold cutlery, pendant lights and floral centerpieces.
Kyle captioned one of the slides “END OF SUMMER PARTY” and another “End of summer basil themed dinner party,” showcasing the couple’s Edmonton home as well as their guests on Sunday.
Connor McDavid’s wife, Lauren Kyle, shared a few Instagram stories celebrating the end of the summer.Lauren Kyle’s Instagram Account (@laurenkyle1)
A Possible Timeline for Connor McDavid’s Extension
The celebration coincides with speculation about McDavid’s long-awaited contract extension with the Oilers, the only franchise he’s ever played for.
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NHL insider Elliotte Friedman said Saturday on Sportsnet’s “32 Thoughts” podcast that he expects Oilers and McDavid’s camp to sit down and finalize terms between the conclusion of Canada’s camp and the start of Edmonton’s training camp later this month.
“Well, just at the start of the (Oilers’) camp, I could see it,” Friedman said. “I just think everybody wants to get it done. So I would expect (between) the Olympic camp and training camp, they sit down, and they say, ‘How’s this all going to look?’”
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McDavid, 28, has one season left on his eight-year, $100 million deal signed in 2017. The superstar center has been eligible for an extension since July 1, but he and the team have deliberately decided to play a cautious and patient game about it, with general manager Stan Bowman calling him “the most important player in the league” and stressing that the organization is letting him dictate the pace of talks.
Why Lauren Kyle’s Timing Matters
If Friedman’s timeline holds, the “end of summer” dinner Kyle showcased may also have doubled as a sendoff before a pivotal week — one that could include both McDavid’s Olympic orientation and the announcement of an extension that will define the Oilers’ next era.
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With McDavid now back in Edmonton after wrapping up his offseason, he and the Oilers front office may make a final push toward reaching an agreement for his extension, with the announcement happening at some point during the next few days or weeks.
McDavid has been clear that his decision hinges on the Oilers’ ability to remain a Stanley Cup contender.
“Winning would be at the top of the list,” McDavid said. “If I feel there’s a good window to win here over and over again, then signing is no problem.”
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The Oilers have made the Stanley Cup Final the last two years but lost both times to the Florida Panthers.
Related: Elliotte Friedman Points to When Connor McDavid’s Oilers Extension Could Get Done
Related: Oilers’ Connor McDavid Will ‘Sacrifice’ with Next Move, Analyst Speculates
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.