In a move that signals both ambition and a long-term vision for the franchise, the Edmonton Oilers have appointed Jeff Jackson as CEO of Hockey Operations, a position that underscores how central captain Connor McDavid is to the club’s future.
A Major Move
On August 3, 2023, the Oilers announced that Jeff Jackson—formerly the longtime agent for McDavid—would join the organization as CEO of Hockey Operations. Jackson will report directly to owner Daryl Katz and work alongside president & general manager Ken Holland.
Why It Matters for McDavid
McDavid, widely considered the best player in the sport, has been at the centre of the Oilers’ ambitions to bring a Stanley Cup back to Edmonton. Jackson, who represented McDavid since the player was a 15-year-old in the Ontario Hockey League, is intimately familiar with his talent, character and leadership.
In comments to the media, Jackson acknowledged McDavid’s value to the organization and described him as “everything to this organization, and everything to the fan base here.”
The Promise: Make McDavid the New… [Leader of Legacy]
The Oilers’ leadership is openly aligning around McDavid as the cornerstone of their franchise for the long term. Jackson has spoken about keeping McDavid and the core group together and bootstrapping the team into consistent championship contention.
While the exact phrasing “make McDavid the new …” (e.g., new face of the franchise, new franchise icon, new all-time leader) hasn’t been formally codified, everything points toward elevating McDavid into a legacy role—beyond simply being the star player, but the defining voice, leader and embodiment of the Oilers moving forward.
The Challenges Ahead
Keeping McDavid engaged and under contract for the long haul is paramount. Jackson has said the organization is “not nervous” about reaching a deal to secure McDavid’s future despite inevitable speculation.
Building a supporting cast capable of turning McDavid’s greatness into a championship. Jackson’s role gives him oversight over the NHL, AHL and WHL operations of the Oilers’ organization.
Navigating the transition from agent to executive: Jackson left a successful agency career (where he represented McDavid) to join the Oilers in a very different capacity, tasked with both preserving and evolving the core of a franchise.
Why This Signals a Shift
It underlines that the Oilers are fully committing to McDavid as their player for the foreseeable future, reinforcing that he is not just a star, but the foundation.
The organizational structure now places a former agent of McDavid at the top of hockey operations, suggesting that those in leadership understand McDavid’s priorities, values and how to build around him.
For McDavid, this means greater stability and clarity: the guy who helped manage his career is now inside the building, aligned and invested in keeping him and his supporting cast in Edmonton.
Final Thought
If the Oilers truly want to make Connor McDavid the new face of the franchise for a generation—someone who doesn’t just play for Edmonton but defines what the club stands for—they appear to have put the pieces in place. Jeff Jackson’s appointment as CEO represents a clear statement: McDavid isn’t just part of the team’s future—he is the team’s future.
Leave a Reply