Oilers GM Stan Bowman drops an update on Leon Draisaitl's contract extension
Photo credit: Oilersnation
Edmonton Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman is reportedly eager to finalize Leon Draisaitl's contract extension soon.
After taking over as the Oilers' GM following Ken Holland's departure at the end of June, Bowman has a lot on his plate for the next 12 months. His top priority is securing a new contract for one of the team's superstars, Leon Draisaitl. The German forward became eligible for an extension on July 1st, but there hasn't been a rush from either side, as both are confident a deal will eventually be reached.
Recently, Derek van Diest of NHL.com spoke with Bowman, who was scouting at the 2024 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, about the status of contract talks with Draisaitl. Bowman shared that he's had positive discussions with Draisaitl's agent, with no issues to report. The Oilers are hopeful to get the contract signed soon, with Bowman aiming to keep Draisaitl in Edmonton for the rest of his NHL career.
"I had a good conversation (with Draisaitl's agent Mike Liut) and we're starting things off and the timing on that will be what it will be," Oilers general manager Stan Bowman said. "I don't have an update of where it's going to be or the timing on that, but there is nothing negative to report, certainly."
He added, "Leon is a super-talented player, a huge part of what we're doing, and he has been and will be for some time and that hasn't changed at all. I think it's really hard to find stars in the NHL, so when you have them, the goal is to keep them."
He added, "Leon is a super-talented player, a huge part of what we're doing, and he has been and will be for some time and that hasn't changed at all. I think it's really hard to find stars in the NHL, so when you have them, the goal is to keep them."
Next summer, on July 1st, Oilers captain Connor McDavid will be eligible for his own contract extension, and he is expected to become the highest-paid player in NHL history. Currently earning $12.5 million per season, McDavid could see his new deal reach $16�$16.5 million per year, especially with the salary cap expected to rise.
As for Draisaitl, he's also set for a substantial pay raise. Currently making $8.5 million per season, Draisaitl's recent performances suggest he could be looking at a contract worth $12�$13 million annually. Over the first seven years of his current eight-year deal, Draisaitl has recorded 100 or more points five times and has surpassed the 50-goal mark three times.
It will be interesting to see the details of Draisaitl's new contract once it's finalized, but there's no doubt he's earned a significant raise and should rank among the top ten in terms of average annual value starting in the 2025-26 season.
| POLL | ||
10 AOUT | 148 ANSWERS Oilers GM Stan Bowman drops an update on Leon Draisaitl's contract extension Will Leon Draisaitl get more than $12 million per season on his next deal? | ||
| Yes | 119 | 80.4 % |
| No | 29 | 19.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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