Leon Draisaitl is staying in Edmonton.
The Edmonton Oilers and Draisaitl agreed to an eight-year, $112-million contract extension on Tuesday.
Draisaitl’s $14 million cap hit now passes Auston Matthews as the highest total in the NHL.
“This is a historic day for the Edmonton Oilers,” executive vice president of hockey operations and general manager Stan Bowman said in a statement. “Leon’s commitment to our team, our city and Oilers fans everywhere cannot be overstated. His desire to help bring a Stanley Cup title home to Edmonton is central to everything he does both on and off the ice.”
The deal keeps Draisaitl in Edmonton until the 2033-34 season. The centreman is coming off a 106-point regular season and a playoff run that ended in a heart-breaking Game 7 loss at the hands of the Florida Panthers.
Draisaitl was entering the final year of his eight-year, $68-million dollar deal that he signed in the summer of 2017. The 10-year veteran was slated to be an unrestricted free agent in the 2025 off-season.
Draisaitl’s teammate and reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner Connor McDavid is heading into the penultimate season of his own eight-year deal and is set to be a free agent in the summer of 2026.
Draisaitl has notched at least 100 points in five of his last six seasons, winning both the Hart Trophy and the Art Ross Trophy in 2019-20.
The Oilers selected the six-foot-two, 208-pound forward with the third-overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft.
The Edmonton Oilers made a significant move in securing star forward Leon Draisaitl with an eight-year contract worth $14 million annually. This deal solidifies Draisaitl’s future with the team and ensures that he will continue to be a key player for the Oilers for years to come.
Draisaitl, who was drafted by the Oilers in 2014, has quickly become one of the team’s most valuable players. In the 2019-2020 season, he led the team in scoring with 110 points, including 43 goals and 67 assists. His performance on the ice has earned him recognition as one of the top players in the league, and his new contract reflects his importance to the team.
Securing Draisaitl with a long-term contract is a smart move for the Oilers, as it provides stability and continuity for the team. With Draisaitl locked in for the next eight years, the Oilers can build their roster around him and plan for the future with confidence.
The $14 million annual salary is a significant investment for the Oilers, but it is well-deserved for a player of Draisaitl’s caliber. His performance on the ice has proven that he is worth every penny, and his presence on the team will be crucial for their success in the coming years.
Overall, the Edmonton Oilers’ decision to secure Leon Draisaitl with an eight-year contract worth $14 million annually is a smart move that will benefit the team in the long run. Draisaitl’s talent and leadership will continue to be invaluable assets for the Oilers, and fans can look forward to seeing him on the ice for years to come.