Oilers star Connor McDavid could sign a historic contract when his current deal is up due to the rising NHL salary cap.

This fall, the Oilers played centres Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl an average of 22 minutes per game from October through December. It was a slight increase in usage compared to the same period in the previous season. That’s a lot of hockey, which brings worry over fatigue and lower performance levels as the team chugs toward the postseason.

Connor McDavid returned to the Edmonton Oilers lineup against the Seattle Kraken after serving a three-game suspension for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland in the helmet Jan. 18.

Connor McDavid set up Zach Hyman in overtime, and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 on Wednesday night. Hyman redirected McDavid’s pass for the power-play goal at 1:36. It was Hyman’s 19th goal and McDavid’s 49th assist of the season.

The Edmonton Oilers had a 3-1 lead over the Chicago Blackhawks and nearly let the game slip away on Wednesday night. Chicago battled back to tie the game with only eight minutes left.