Translation of LD interview with DEB
...maybe there's still somebody interested. Bearbeiten with me, I tried my best.
Leon, firstly congratulations on your new contract. Why have negotiations taken so long?
Thank you. I'm glad there's finally some clarity now. Basically we were agreeing the whole time but everything had to be fixed in written form. There were a lot of details to clarify. The Oilers' management has other things to do as well than to exclusively care for my contract. Both sides always played with open cards and knew that there was not a reason to rush things.
With a contract duration of 8 years and a volume of 68 million dollars you are not only one of the best paid players in the NHL but at the age of 21 also the best paid German hockey player of all time. Do you think about a thing like that?
No, not really. I know that numbers like these attract attention especially here in Germany but that's more of a story for the public than for me personally. The new contract specifically is an investment of the Oilers in the future of the franchise. There were considerable roster changes in the last two seasons already. The Oilers are a franchise with lots of tradition, which after not so successful years, wants to tie up to the old and glorious times medium-term. Last season we have already shown that we have an incredible potential. I feel honored to be able to do my stint for success in the coming 8 years. I'm looking forward to this challenge. To me these are the real arguments that count more.
Have there ever been thoughts of going to another team?
No, never. Since I've come to Edmonton I feel incredibly comfortable ("pudelwohl" literally translates to "comfortable like a poodle", so "puddle" is somewhat funny). Even in my first real NHL season when we missed the playoffs and I've played in the AHL for stretches of time, I knew I wanted to remain an Oiler. My team mates and me always knew about the potential of the team. Edmonton is a total hockey town, we have fantastic fans and a very professionally led organisation.
Whoever has watched a playoff match in our new arena will not forget it for the rest of his/her life.
Your team mate Connor McDavid are seen as the probably best forward duo in the whole league. Did you have contact with him yet?
(laughing) We constantly have contact, since we are also great buddies. Naturally it's awesome to be able to play with such a great player as Connor. I hope the coach will put us on the ice together in the coming season. As is well known we do harmonize really well. This though remains to be awaited.
Formerly the German top players in the NHL were Marco Sturm, Jochen Hecht and Christian Ehrhoff - the new generation are Leon Draisaitl, Tom Kühnhackl and Tobias Rieder. Which importance do you account to yourself as representative of German hockey?
Naturally I try to represent my country as good as possible. First and foremost this works through performance, which is my job to deliver. I'm happy when people back in Germany register that there are a couple of young guys over in North America in the NHL who are successful. If we can contribute something to the development of the sport in our country then you are happy. "Sadly" we are not physically present in Germany for almost 8 months a year which means we are not so available as the guys from DEL. That's the other side of the coin.
The German hockey national team desires to compete for medal honors medium-term. The DEB has formulated a goal with "POWERPLAY 26". Will you be representing your country in the future if you have the time to do so?
That's not a question. It's an honor for me to represent Germany at the World Championships: I stick with it: as soon as it is somehow possible, I will come. Marco Sturm (head coach of the German national team) knows this as well. Naturally the playoffs with the Oilers come first but basically the national team coach can count on me. I really like that the DEB thinks about this in that way. Eventually we will have to keep an eye on the coming years. Other nations have improved as well.
Last question, Leon: when will you be heading back to North America?
I'll stay in Prague with my fitness coach until the end of August and will come back to Cologne then for a short stay and will fly back to Edmonton in early September.
