The Edmonton Oilers lastly accomplished a contract extension with celebrity ahead Leon Draisaitl, as they introduced on Tuesday (Sept. 3) morning that they’d prolonged him for eight extra seasons with a median annual worth of $14 million. After months of hypothesis and a few fear that began to creep into Oilers followers’ minds, the deal is lastly performed. At this stage in his profession, Draisaitl is taking part in on one of many strongest groups within the NHL as they appear to win their sixth Stanley Cup in franchise historical past. With one order of enterprise now performed, it’s time for them to deal with having a powerful 2024-25 marketing campaign earlier than shifting to re-signing Evan Bouchard and Connor McDavid.
Associated: Grading Edmonton Oilers’ Monster Contract Extension for Leon Draisaitl
Draisaitl met with the media alongside basic supervisor Stan Bowman shortly after signing the brand new extension and answered some questions in regards to the negotiation course of, what ideas led him to make this choice, and his objectives for the long run with the Oilers. Some feedback raised eyebrows of some followers across the league, particularly when Draisaitl was requested about McDavid’s future in Edmonton.
When requested to provide some perception on the path McDavid was planning to go, since his contract is up after the 2025-26 season, Draisaitl made certain to not give a lot away about his “dynamic-duo” accomplice. In response, Draisaitl implied that he made certain he did what was finest for his profession transferring ahead, and believes that’s precisely what McDavid will do as properly. Whereas no person anticipated Draisaitl to provide a direct reply, this one made followers surprise if there’s a slim likelihood McDavid is contemplating various choices.
No Motive to Fear for Oilers Followers
Regardless of the potentially-worrying response from Draisaitl, there isn’t any purpose to imagine McDavid gained’t be an Oiler for all times. His happiness on social media in response to Draisaitl’s extension, blended together with his very vocal delight about being the captain of the crew, are simply a few causes that point out he has no intentions of contemplating signing elsewhere. The Oilers will possible shift their focus onto locking up Bouchard earlier than they converse to McDavid about an extension, however there isn’t any doubt in my thoughts each offers will get performed.
Even with this huge sum of money devoted to 1 participant, the Oilers nonetheless have the flexibleness to carry everybody again subsequent season whereas paying them what they deserve. As of proper now, they’ve $15 million in cap house with six gamers in want of latest contracts subsequent summer season, together with Bouchard. With Draisaitl taking a slight pay lower contemplating what he may have made on the open market, it ought to encourage the remainder of the Oilers’ stars to go related routes.
The one challenge the Oilers might run into is the Darnell Nurse contract as a result of it does two issues. First, it drives up the worth of Bouchard. Second, if the Oilers do discover themselves on the lookout for cash and Nurse is the participant they select to do away with, his no-movement clause forces the crew to purchase him out. Nonetheless, they need to be capable to work round his $9.25 million cap hit and proceed making a championship contender.
When evaluating the Oilers’ roster to the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and even the Carolina Hurricanes — who’re all additionally contending with numerous cash tied up into their superstars — it’s straightforward to see why some followers across the league questioned the motives behind tying near $40 million in simply three gamers. Thankfully, with the wage cap going up each season, mixed with the window the Oilers are in to attempt to win a championship, they need to don’t have any challenge making an attempt to carry Edmonton Stanley Cups over the following a number of seasons.
