Leon Draisaitl signs NHL's biggest deal, says he wants to be an 'Oiler for life'
Leon Draisaitl says he wants to be an “Oiler for life.”
The star forward took a big step towards that goal by signing an eight-year contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers. The deal, announced Tuesday has an average annual value of US$14 million, the highest in NHL history.
“I have a hard time picturing myself in a different jersey,” said Draisaitl, who scored 41 goals and added 65 assists for 106 points in 81 regular-season games last season.
He added another 10 goals and 21 assists through 25 playoff games, helping propel Edmonton to its first Stanley Cup final appearance since 2006.
He was set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Draisaitl’s deal is just the first of three major targets general manager Stan Bowman needs to tackle in the next couple of years. Defenceman Evan Bouchard’s $3.9 million bridge deal ends after this season, positioning him for a significant raise.
And, after this season, negotiations can begin with three-time MVP Connor McDavid, who is likely to command a contract that surpasses Draisaitl’s.
McDavid is currently on a deal that pays him $12.5 million per season, and expires at the end of the 2025-26 season.
“Certainly, there’s going to be challenges in the future,” Bowman said of the team’s need to stay under the salary-cap ceiling and lock down all three players.
“But, that’s for us to figure out down the road.”
Bowman said that players like Draisaitl are simply irreplaceable, so that’s why the deal was his “top priority” since he was hired earlier this summer.
“Players like Leon are special.” said Bowman. “There’s not many people in the world who can play hockey like he does. There’s no way we can ever replace what Leon brings to the table. He’s a huge part of our team; he has been and will continue to be.”
Draisaitl signed an eight-year, US$68 million contract extension in August 2017 that carried an annual average cap hit of $8.5 million — and quickly turned into one of the NHL's bargains — that expires after the 2024-25 season.
The 28-year-old centre has 347 goals and 503 assists for 850 points in 719 regular-season games since getting selected third overall at the 2014 NHL draft.
With those eye-popping numbers, some GMs might even see the $14-million annual cap hit as a bargain. Draisaitl acknowledged the balance between maximizing his earnings and leaving the team some flexibility to build for another Cup run.
"It's a fine line and I think that's where negotiations normally probably get to a standstill and it doesn't go any further,” said Draisaitk. “We know you can't win with two-, three- or four-man rosters. It's just not possible in this league. This league's too good. I'm very happy it's done ... and I can focus on playing my game and continuing to get better and play my best hockey, especially when it matters most."
Draisaitl is hopeful his extension will lead to a long-term deal for McDavid, keeping the NHL's top one-two punch together for years to come.
“Connor’s going to do what’s best for him, right? That’s just the way this works,” said Draisaitl. “It’s supposed to work that way. I did what I thought was best for me, personally. Do I hope that Connor follows along? I would be lying if I said no. Of course I want him to stay on board. I want all our pieces to stay on board.”
But, does being the new highest-paid player in the NHL put a target on Draisaitl’s back? Will it make him grip his stick more tightly in the coming years?
“I don’t know about the word, ‘pressure.’ I think it’s a responsibility more so than pressure, maybe. I’m aware of my responsibility, I’m aware of the commitment that (owner Daryl Katz) and the entire Oilers organization has given me. It’s my time to give that back in a way, right? I’m aware of my responsibility. Is it pressure? In certain moments, there is pressure. But, you know I’m going to get paid a lot of money to handle those moments.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 3, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada, pilots reach tentative deal, averting work stoppage
Passengers with plans to fly on Canada's largest airline can breathe a sigh of relief after Air Canada said Sunday it has reached a tentative agreement with the union representing more than 5,200 of its pilots.
'The Life of Chuck' wins the TIFF People's Choice Award
'The Life of Chuck,' an offbeat film by writer-director Mike Flanagan, wins the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Canada's Eugene and Dan Levy set to become first father-son duo to host Emmys
The stars and co-creators of CBC's 'Schitt's Creek' take the reins as several Canadians compete for trophies, including D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai and Martin Short.
Tuesday's Lotto Max draw set to hit all-time Canadian record of $80 million after no Friday winner
In a Canadian lotto first, the national Lotto Max jackpot has reached an estimated $80 million prize.
They came from Jamaica for work, now they're homeless and out thousands of dollars in lost wages
Abuse of Canada’s temporary foreign worker program has left a group of carpenters from Jamaica 'destitute' after an Ottawa company refused to pay them for nearly half a year of work.
New evidence upends contentious Easter Island theory, scientists say
Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, never experienced a ruinous population collapse, according to an analysis of ancient DNA from 15 former inhabitants of the remote island in the Pacific Ocean.
Montreal bars, restaurants react to Quebec bill to regulate merchant tipping requests
Quebec tabled a bill on Thursday that would regulate how merchants determine suggested tips, forcing businesses to calculate them based on the price before tax. Restaurant staff and management are divided on the policy.
Queen Victoria's favourite Tuscan villa for sale for more than US$55 million
Once a favoured holiday destination for Queen Victoria, and reputedly described in one of the greatest works of Italian literature, the Villa Palmieri is steeped in history and could now be yours – if you have more than €50 million (US$55 million) lying around.
Liberals will let Conservatives hold non-confidence vote 'fairly soon', no intention of proroguing Parliament
The Liberals have no intention of using procedural tactics to delay the Conservatives' promised non-confidence motion, and they have no plans to prorogue Parliament to hold onto power, according to Government House Leader Karina Gould.