On Thursday, the Oilers made an announcement about a change in the front office, as Jeff Jackson was named the club's new CEO of Hockey Operations.
Alterations to the front office of organizations happen all the time, especially in the summer leading into a new season. But there's a particular reason why this move is so significant.
Jackson is — well, now was — the agent for Oilers superstar Connor McDavid.
While Jackson has prior experience working in an NHL front office, for the past 13 years, he has worked as a sports agent, recently spending his time under Wasserman Hockey, one of the leading sports agencies in the world.
MORE: When does the 2023-24 NHL season start?
So how does this affect McDavid? The Sporting News breaks down who Jackson is, and what the change means for the Edmonton captain.
Who is Jeff Jackson?
Jackson joins the Oilers organization after a successful stint with Wasserman Hockey.
"I can't think of a more exciting franchise to join or a better opportunity for me to put into practice everything I have learned during the past three decades in and around the NHL," Jackson said in the team's press release. "Daryl Katz, Ken Holland, Bob Nicholson, Jay Woodcroft and the entire group have built an outstanding foundation for success. I'm privileged to join Daryl, Ken and the entire Oilers staff in the pursuit of a Stanley Cup championship in the short term and in realizing the full and exceptional potential of the entire organization in the long term.
"On behalf of my family, I also want to say how thrilled we are to join the Edmonton Oilers organization and the Edmonton community. I am very appreciative of the opportunity to help lead such a storied NHL franchise."
After an eight-year professional playing career, Jackson practiced corporate and entertainment law before getting back into hockey in 2006. That year, he joined the Maple Leafs as assistant general manager and director of hockey operations, eventually serving as general manager and governor.
In 2010, Jackson launched his own sports agency and in the 13 years since, has helped build up Wasserman to become a leading global entity.
Jackson is responsible for negotiating McDavid's current contract, an eight-year, $100 million deal that McDavid signed in 2017, making him, at the time, the highest-paid player in the league in terms of average annual value.
Who is Connor McDavid's new agent?
With Jackson taking a position in the Oilers' front office, that has changed the work flow at Wasserman when it comes to McDavid. .
Judd Moldaver will be taking over handling McDavid's future contract negotiations. He is one of a number of executive vice presidents at Wasserman.
🧡💙 https://t.co/qExwhIIRrn pic.twitter.com/WpPDbwAkj1
— Connor McDavid (@cmcdavid97) August 3, 2023
Moldaver and Adam Phillips, director of operations and business development at Wasserman and McDavid's current manager, will also handle McDavid's endorsements and other non-NHL dealings.
Who is Judd Moldaver?
Moldaver is an executive vice president with Wasserman Hockey. He came over to Wasserman after spending time at the Creative Arts Agency.
In 2020, The Athletic named him to its 40-under-40 list of up-and-coming hockey executives, coaches, scouts, agents and others.
Moldaver represents other high-end NHL talent, such as Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews, Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski and Predators defenseman Roman Josi.
Connor McDavid contract
Moldaver doesn't have to worry about negotiating a new deal for McDavid that soon.
The Oilers captain has three years remaining on his current contract, carrying an AAV of $12.5 million. McDavid will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
| Year | AAV |
| 2023-24 | $12,500,000 |
| 2024-25 | $12,500,000 |
| 2025-26 | $12,500,000 |
