Leon Draisaitl signs NHL’s biggest deal, says he wants to be an ‘Oiler for life’

EDMONTON — Leon Draisaitl says he needs to be an “Oiler for all times.”

The star ahead took an enormous step in direction of that purpose by signing an eight-year contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers. The deal, introduced Tuesday has a mean annual worth of US$14 million, the best in NHL historical past.

“I’ve a tough time picturing myself in a distinct jersey,” stated Draisaitl, who scored 41 targets and added 65 assists for 106 factors in 81 regular-season video games final season.

He added one other 10 targets and 21 assists via 25 playoff video games, serving to propel Edmonton to its first Stanley Cup last look since 2006.

He was set to develop into an unrestricted free agent subsequent summer time.

Draisaitl’s deal is simply the primary of three main targets basic supervisor Stan Bowman must sort out within the subsequent couple of years. Defenceman Evan Bouchard’s $3.9 million bridge deal ends after this season, positioning him for a major increase.

And, after this season, negotiations can start with three-time MVP Connor McDavid, who’s more likely to command a contract that surpasses Draisaitl’s.

McDavid is at present on a deal that pays him $12.5 million per season, and expires on the finish of the 2025-26 season.

“Actually, there’s going to be challenges sooner or later,” Bowman stated of the workforce’s want to remain underneath the salary-cap ceiling and lock down all three gamers.

“However, that’s for us to determine down the highway.”

Bowman stated that gamers like Draisaitl are merely irreplaceable, in order that’s why the deal was his “prime precedence” since he was employed earlier this summer time.

“Gamers like Leon are particular.” stated Bowman. “There’s not many individuals on the earth who can play hockey like he does. There’s no means we will ever exchange what Leon brings to the desk. He’s an enormous a part of our workforce; he has been and can proceed to be.”

Draisaitl signed an eight-year, US$68 million contract extension in August 2017 that carried an annual common cap hit of $8.5 million — and rapidly changed into one of many NHL’s bargains — that expires after the 2024-25 season.

The 28-year-old centre has 347 targets and 503 assists for 850 factors in 719 regular-season video games since getting chosen third general on the 2014 NHL draft.

With these eye-popping numbers, some GMs would possibly even see the $14-million annual cap hit as a cut price. Draisaitl acknowledged the stability between maximizing his earnings and leaving the workforce some flexibility to construct for an additional Cup run.

“It is a fantastic line and I believe that is the place negotiations usually in all probability get to a standstill and it would not go any additional,” stated Draisaitk. “We all know you may’t win with two-, three- or four-man rosters. It is simply not attainable on this league. This league’s too good. I am very glad it is completed … and I can give attention to taking part in my sport and persevering with to get higher and play my finest hockey, particularly when it issues most.”

Draisaitl is hopeful his extension will result in a long-term deal for McDavid, retaining the NHL’s prime one-two punch collectively for years to return.

“Connor’s going to do what’s finest for him, proper? That’s simply the best way this works,” stated Draisaitl. “It’s imagined to work that means. I did what I assumed was finest for me, personally. Do I hope that Connor follows alongside? I might be mendacity if I stated no. In fact I would like him to remain on board. I would like all our items to remain on board.”

However, does being the brand new highest-paid participant within the NHL put a goal on Draisaitl’s again? Will it make him grip his stick extra tightly within the coming years?

“I don’t know concerning the phrase, ‘stress.’ I believe it’s a accountability extra so than stress, perhaps. I’m conscious of my accountability, I’m conscious of the dedication that (proprietor Daryl Katz) and the complete Oilers group has given me. It’s my time to provide that again in a means, proper? I’m conscious of my accountability. Is it stress? In sure moments, there’s stress. However, I’m going to receives a commission some huge cash to deal with these moments.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Sept. 3, 2024.

Steven Sandor, The Canadian Press