NHL Analyst Points Out Oilers ‘Core Four’ Issue if Connor McDavid Re-Signs originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Connor McDavid’s next contract could reshape the Edmonton Oilers’ salary structure, but not necessarily in a good way, at least according to former NHL player and current analyst Paul Bissonnette.
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In Friday’s episode of the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast, Bissonnette said that if McDavid re-signs at the expected high figure, the Oilers may soon resemble the Toronto Maple Leafs by building a top-heavy “Core Four” in Edmonton.
“You know what’s going to happen if McDavid does sign?” Bissonnette said. “He’s going to get 18 and a half million, and between Bouchard, Draisaitl, Darnell Nurse and Connor McDavid — ladies and gentlemen, your new Core Four!”
Although Bissonnette was kind of joking with his comments and he did so playing off the Maple Leafs’ much-discussed cap strategy, his case is solid in that both Toronto and Edmonton haven’t won a Cup with their current cores.
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The Maple Leafs built their core around four top-dollar stars — Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares — while sacrificing depth because of salary cap constraints.
The Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl, center, celebrates a game-winning goal with teammates Connor McDavid (97) and Evan Bouchard.Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Bissonnette suggested Edmonton may face a similar issue involving McDavid, Draisaitl, Nurse and Bouchard, although those four have carried the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back seasons.
“Quick math: Other than next year with McDavid only making $12.5 (million), I believe, we can get the amount of money that $18.5, $14, $9.5 and $10 (million) for Bouchard,” Bissonnette said. “Add that up and divide it by what the cap will be in a year.”
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Draisaitl is set to begin his new deal at $14 million AAV, Evan Bouchard is projected to hit around $10 million on his next contract, and Darnell Nurse already earns $9.25 million per season.
If McDavid signs a deal near the speculated $18.5 million mark, the Oilers could be committing over $56 million to four players by 2027, with the salary cap projected for $104 million.
Those four players alone would take 53.8% of the cap, which aligns with what the Leafs’ Core Four earned this season, taking 52.9% of the $88 million maximum.
Related: Oilers GM Sends Clear Message Amid Connor McDavid’s Contract Situation
Related: P.K. Subban Urges Oilers’ Connor McDavid to Weigh Next Move
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.