Leon Draisaitl recently signed a significant contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers, but he didn’t waste time highlighting a critical point regarding teammate Connor McDavid.
The Oilers made waves by securing Draisaitl for another eight years with a record-breaking $14 million per year deal, a landmark contract for both the team and the NHL. While this move has thrilled Oilers fans, it also comes with potential challenges, as Draisaitl himself pointed out.
During the press conference, Draisaitl emphasized that his contract could pave the way for McDavid to sign an extension next summer, but he acknowledged the potential complications.
“Connor’s going to do what’s best for him,” Draisaitl remarked when asked about their individual decisions. “That’s how this works. I did what was best for me. Do I hope Connor stays? I’d be lying if I said no. Of course, I want him to stay, and I want all our key players to stay.”
McDavid, who still has two years left on his $12.5 million per year contract, won’t be eligible to sign a new deal until July 1, 2025. As James Mirtle of The Athletic noted, Draisaitl’s massive extension could complicate McDavid’s future negotiations, especially since McDavid is expected to command a significant raise.
Mirtle pointed out that McDavid’s unique status in the league, with an unmatched record of individual awards and an extraordinary point-per-game rate, will make it challenging to balance the salary cap.
The Oilers now face the difficult task of keeping their star duo happy while maintaining a competitive roster. With defenseman Evan Bouchard also due for a new contract in 2025-26, the team’s cap space will be under pressure. Draisaitl’s well-deserved extension could limit the Oilers’ ability to retain other key players, including McDavid and Bouchard.
Insider Frank Seravalli is confident that Draisaitl’s extension almost guarantees McDavid will stay with the Oilers for the rest of his career. However, with so much of the salary cap tied up in just a few players, the team’s depth could suffer.
“There’s now a 100 percent chance McDavid will re-sign with the Oilers,” Seravalli told Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now. “Leon wouldn’t have signed long-term if there was any doubt about Connor staying.”
Despite these assurances, Draisaitl’s own words at the press conference serve as a reminder that even with big names secured, GM Stan Bowman still has many challenges ahead.
