Janainah Fazlin Anam is an Olympics Sports Editor at EssentiallySports. A dedicated NHL fan, Janainah is especially fond of Connor McDavid’s remarkable talent, and has a passion for covering the trending stories of the ice rink. Beyond the thrill of ice hockey arena, Janainah also follows Artistic Gymnastics, and equestrian sports. With over a year of experience working with a student journal during her university years, Janainah has also contributed numerous articles to various university publications.
When she's not immersed in the world of sports, Janainah enjoys journaling, baking, and indulging in her favorite video games.

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 There’s a tension in Edmonton that you can almost feel in the air. The city, the fans, even the locker room, everyone has been waiting for one thing all summer: clarity from Connor McDavid. The Oilers captain is heading into the final year of his eight-year, $100 million contract, and with each passing day, speculation about his future continues to run rampant. Social media feeds, headlines, and X posts have been coming in fast and thick. The question everyone wants answered: Will he re-sign, or will he test free agency in 2026? Well, we still don’t have a definitive answer. But over the weekend, Connor McDavid finally gave a glimpse into his line of thought. Shared by Jason Gregor on X, his words were sharp and unapologetic. “If guys can’t play hockey because people are talking outside the room (about a contract), then you are probably in the wrong job,” he said. No fluff, no PR polish, just a clear message: distractions are for those who can’t handle them. He also left the door open in every direction, saying, “all options are on the table,” whether that is a short-term contract, a longer commitment, or completion of the season and trying free agency. In McDavid’s case it’s less about the fine print and more about whether the team is constructed to win [https://www.essentiallysports.com/us-sports-nhl-connor-mcdavid-gives-final-verdict-on-oilers-contract-speculation/], and whether the Oilers can remain competitive for the duration of a potential extension. “If I feel that there’s a good window to win here over and over again, then signing is no problem.” said McDavid at Hockey Canada’s Olympic camp. Even his colleagues do not miss the gravity of his words. Leon Draisaitl, McDavid’s foil on the ice, spoke candidly on September 4: “Of course I want him here for as long as possible. I want to do it with him. But it’s about him and his family, and they’re going to make their decision based on what’s best for them.” Following heartbreaks at the playoffs in 2024 and 2025, there can be no higher stakes. Edmonton must have a way to the Stanley Cup to retain its captain for the long term. Still, despite his awards, 1,082 points in 712 games, 5 Art Ross Trophies, 3 Hart Trophies, and one Conn Smythe, Connor McDavid is not done yet. “I’ve got a lot to prove and I’m excited about our season as a team. That’s where my head is at,” he said. For now, his goal is the Stanley Cup. But apparently, his contract might also be a distraction to his teammates. THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF CONNOR MCDAVID’S CONTRACT TALKS Believe it or not, but the truth is, the entire Edmonton Oilers roster is full of talent heading into the 2025-26 season. Yet, all focus will be on Connor McDavid. Reason: his contract circumstances have since risen to the headlines; it is an ongoing distraction that looms over the team. Despite McDavid insisting this will not impact performance, media attention inevitably spills over to his teammates, who are incessantly questioned about his future. “We’re all professionals here. If guys can’t play because people are talking about my contract, that’s really a them issue. It’s not something that will derail us,” McDavid said, trying to contain the concern, but the reality is harder to ignore. Even Oilers CEO, Jeff Jackson, has been confident that a deal will get done. As he puts it, “We’re not nervous about it.” Until the ink reaches the paper, though, it is nothing but a shadow of uncertainty that looms over the Oilers’ beginning of the season. For now, Oilers fans will have to wait: McDavid is in no rush to finalize what could be the defining decision of his career. What Oilers fans should hold close and feel confident about is that McDavid isn’t just thinking about himself as he goes through his process. “This isn’t about chasing the biggest number. When I’m ready it’ll be quick because I know what I want.” In the meantime, fans are left with no choice but to wait. One thing is clear: Connor McDavid is thinking bigger about his family, his teammates, and the city of Edmonton. 

Connor McDavid sends a clear message to his Oilers teammates, urging focus amid the ongoing contract speculation and confusion.

Maleeha Shakeel is a Senior Olympic Sports Writer at EssentiallySports, known for covering some of the biggest moments in global sport. From the World Athletics Championships 2023 to the Paris Olympics 2024 and the Winter Cup 2025, she has reported live on events that define sporting history. Her coverage has also been <a href="https://www.olympics.com/en/news/could-oblique-seville-steal-the-100m-crown-in-tokyo?uxreference=seealso">cited by Olympics.com</a> on its official platform.

Whether breaking developments in real time, such as her widely-followed live blog on <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/olympics-gymnastics-news-fighting-against-setbacks-all-her-life-jordan-chiles-reveals-true-feelings-over-gymnastics-career/">Jordan Chiles</a>’ medal revocation, or crafting feature stories that explore the mental and emotional journeys of athletes, Maleehah’s work blends accuracy, clarity, and storytelling flair to resonate with fans worldwide.

As part of EssentiallySports’ Journalistic Excellence Program, an in-house initiative to hone advanced reporting, editorial strategy, and audience-focused writing, she has developed a distinct voice that focuses on people, pressure, and pivotal moments. From chronicling Sha’Carri Richardson’s sprints to capturing Letsile Tebogo’s rise, her reporting offers readers insight beyond the scoreboard.

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Podium Tales

Maleehah Shakeel

Connor McDavid Sends Strong Message Against Edmonton Oilers Stars Stuck in
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Connor McDavid Sends Strong Message Against Edmonton Oilers Stars Stuck in Confusion - EssentiallySports

EssentiallySports is the home for the underserved fan, delivering storytelling that goes beyond the headlines. As a media platform, we combine deep audience insights with cultural trends, to meet fandom where it lives and where it goes next. Founded in 2014, EssentiallySports now engages with an audience of over 30m+ American sports fan on its website and 1m+ readers on its newsletters daily.

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Maleehah Shakeel is our Senior Olympic Sports Writer. From the World Athletics Championships 2023 to the Paris Olympics and the Winter Cup 2025, Maleehah has covered the sport's biggest moments. Her Live Blog on Jordan Chiles’ medal revocation became a go-to hub for fans to learn every development. Beyond writing, Maleehah is always reading up on fans' psyche, to finetune her craft. As part of EssentiallySports’ Journalistic Excellence Program, Maleehah brings a strong editorial voice that focuses on the people, pressure, and turning points behind every headline.