Confirmed Signing with Link: [EDM] F Leon Draisaitl signs extension with the Oilers (8 years, $14M AAV; begins 2025-26)

[innitfam]

Fair deal, anything under 14M would've been a discount

McDavid probably will be coming in around ~17.5M AAV assuming the cap will be approximately ~100-102M by the time his new deal would kick in for the 2026-2027 season

 

[BonMorrison]

Crosby at McDavids age already had 3 cups.

Crosby won cups 2 and 3 when he was 28 and 29.

 

[SEALBound]

Hard to say he hasn't earned it. Oilers need to go all in this year and next. Drai at $14mil and presumably McDavid at something like $15-16mil, it's going to be tough to spread money out for the depth needed to win. They are fairly lean on capable prospects.

 

[Zalos]

I'm responding to your wishcasting that the cap will go up to eat up the giant anchor like contracts the oilers will be finding themselves in, and gently informing you the damage is already done. your team has already lost its best chance at winning.

Crosby at McDavids age already had 3 cups.

If McDavid had been on Crosby's team, he'd have 3 cups too. Always have a good laugh when people start comparing individual players based on their Cups. Was Henri Richard better than Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux, huh?

 

[Relapsing]

Drai just put up 3 in his last 7 and this was his reward...

An Drai played a lot more than 7 games bud

 

[VeteranPresence]

14-14.5 over 7 years

In what world would Leon have chosen to leave $14M on the table? If the best he could get in UFA was $14M per he'd have been stupid not to re-sign in Edmonton for the same number.

 

[White Out 902]

Lemieux and Gretzky both won Art Ross trophies in their 30s. Lemieux put up 76 points in 43 games at the age of 35 after not playing hockey for 3 years.

I think you're going to be extremely disappointed with how McDavid ages.

Google search how many cups they had at McDavids age. Sit down first.

 

[McFlyingV]

Hard to say he hasn't earned it. Oilers need to go all in this year and next. Drai at $14mil and presumably McDavid at something like $15-16mil, it's going to be tough to spread money out for the depth needed to win. They are fairly lean on capable prospects.

Let's presume that McDavid gets 16mil which is a 3.5M raise. Drai is getting a 5.5M raise. So combined a 9M raise 2 seasons from now. That is almost completely covered by the projected cap increase. Yeah some other roster players will have to go, but let's put some perspective on what these raises actually are in the cap structure of the league.

 

[McBooya42]

I'm responding to your wishcasting that the cap will go up to eat up the giant anchor like contracts the oilers will be finding themselves in, and gently informing you the damage is already done. your team has already lost its best chance at winning.

Crosby at McDavids age already had 3 cups.

When proven wrong, reach for the strawman. Well done chap.

 

[McFlyingV]

Google search how many cups they had at McDavids age. Sit down first.

What a narrow sighted argument. I won't even get into explaining it to you. Google conceptual factors if you want to learn more.

 

[Connor McConnor]

I'm responding to your wishcasting that the cap will go up to eat up the giant anchor like contracts the oilers will be finding themselves in, and gently informing you the damage is already done. your team has already lost its best chance at winning.

Crosby at McDavids age already had 3 cups.

Who hurt you?

 

[5 14 6 1]

For the first time ever the Oilers lock up a franchise defining player for the entirety of his career. Percentage of the cap counts for a lot. Similar percentage to MacKinnon's new deal when it kicked in and the cap will continue to rise. Leon has proven his worth over the last 8 years to produce at a top 5 NHL level. Super stoked.

To any who say it's too much thats fine, I will enjoy Leon being an Oiler for life

 

[Petes2424]

I thought Leon did himself a big disservice by not waiting until after this season plays out.

The Oilers had no choice here and Leon is now stuck playing the waiting game.. Knowing he may only be starting his new contract when the big debate begins.

He’s taking a big chance, he could find himself a 32 year old, rapidly declining player, with 7 years left in Edmonton, with no chance of ever winning a cup. With a contract nobody will touch, and McDavid celebrating his arrival in somewhere like Philly, Chicago or Detroit. Primed to continue playing for Cups well into his 30s.

Imagine the debate we will start hearing a year from now, if McDavid hasn’t signed his extension?

He doesn’t have to rush anything either. If he and Leon don’t win a Cup together in the next 2 years, McDavid can, and likely will, just walk away. Never having to make the decision Leon made today. Never waiting on anyone else.

Instead though, 12 months from now, we’ll start hearing the speculation. Should they cash-in before he just walks with no compensation, or do they take one last run together, and then McDavid will make his decision? They’ll likely choose the latter.

So McDavid will have plenty of time to choose the exact city he wants to go to. It’ll likely be a Philly, Chicago or Detroit type, after they’ve spent most of his career collecting tons of young talent, all budding and coming into their own, just as he arrives in town. Guaranteeing himself, to be playing important hockey games, late every season he remains in the league.

As for Leon? Post 30, when the legs go, they go real quickly for top heavy skaters. LD is just that. Remember his skating issues coming in. He’s not a naturally gifted skater. For every nimble, natural skater, who’s extended his career into his late 30s, there’s 50, who once they lose just a step, they’re out of the league 1-2 years later. Leon won’t be bouncing around at $14 million AAV.

In fact, ironically, one of the major reasons McDavid may decide to move to a new city, is Leon being in Edmonton, with that $14 million anchor around his neck.

 

[McFlyingV]

Who hurt you?

McDavid and the 80's Oilers I presume.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Funny how people think that Cup wins should be the only ticket to being paid a lot. That's not how this has ever worked.

 

[McFlyingV]

With all these superstars falling off a cliff in their early 30's you would think that people could actually name some.

 

[Zalos]

I thought Leon did himself a big disservice by not waiting until after this season plays out.

The Oilers had no choice here and Leon is now stuck playing the waiting game.. Knowing he may only be starting his new contract when the big debate begins.

He’s taking a big chance, he could find himself a 32 year old, rapidly declining player, with 7 years left in Edmonton, with no chance of ever winning a cup. With a contract nobody will touch, and McDavid celebrating his arrival in somewhere like Philly, Chicago or Detroit. Primed to continue playing for Cups well into his 30s.

Imagine the debate we will start hearing a year from now, if McDavid hasn’t signed his extension?

He doesn’t have to rush anything either. If he and Leon don’t win a Cup together in the next 2 years, McDavid can, and likely will, just walk away. Never having to make the decision Leon made today. Never waiting on anyone else.

Instead though, 12 months from now, we’ll start hearing the speculation. Should they cash-in before he just walks with no compensation, or do they take one last run together, and then McDavid will make his decision? They’ll likely choose the latter.

So McDavid will have plenty of time to choose the exact city he wants to go to. It’ll likely be a Philly, Chicago or Detroit type, after they’ve spent most of his career collecting tons of young talent, all budding and coming into their own, just as he arrives in town. Guaranteeing himself, to be playing important hockey games, late every season he remains in the league.

As for Leon? Post 30, when the legs go, they go real quickly for top heavy skaters. LD is just that. Remember his skating issues coming in. He’s not a naturally gifted skater. For every nimble, natural skater, who’s extended his career into his late 30s, there’s 50, who once they lose just a step, they’re out of the league 1-2 years later. Leon won’t be bouncing around at $14 million AAV.

In fact, ironically, one of the major reasons McDavid may decide to move to a new city, is Leon being in Edmonton, with that $14 million anchor around his neck.

McDavid is not going anywhere. Keep dreaming.

 

[DearDiary]

Yup. People forget Crosby didn't exactly ask for a discount either.

It's was a different situation compared to today. Back then the cap was expected to raise significantly over the next few seasons. It didn't raise as much as the league thought it would, but it was still 27% over 5 seasons.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

For the first time ever the Oilers lock up a franchise defining player for the entirety of his career. Percentage of the cap counts for a lot. Similar percentage to MacKinnon's new deal when it kicked in and the cap will continue to rise. Leon has proven his worth over the last 8 years to produce at a top 5 NHL level. Super stoked.

To any who say it's too much thats fine, I will enjoy Leon being an Oiler for life

I mean, that's really McDavid-no? It would be interesting to see Draisaitl on another team but alas that is not to be. The Oilers had to do this and he "deserves" it, so much ado about nothing really. The overpayment of Bouchard will be more entertaining. Imagine spending almost $20 mil a season on he and Nurse. Mama mia!

 

[5 14 6 1]

I thought Leon did himself a big disservice by not waiting until after this season plays out.

The Oilers had no choice here and Leon is now stuck playing the waiting game.. Knowing he may only be starting his new contract when the big debate begins.

He’s taking a big chance, he could find himself a 32 year old, rapidly declining player, with 7 years left in Edmonton, with no chance of ever winning a cup. With a contract nobody will touch, and McDavid celebrating his arrival in somewhere like Philly, Chicago or Detroit. Primed to continue playing for Cups well into his 30s.

Imagine the debate we will start hearing a year from now, if McDavid hasn’t signed his extension?

He doesn’t have to rush anything either. If he and Leon don’t win a Cup together in the next 2 years, McDavid can, and likely will, just walk away. Never having to make the decision Leon made today. Never waiting on anyone else.

Instead though, 12 months from now, we’ll start hearing the speculation. Should they cash-in before he just walks with no compensation, or do they take one last run together, and then McDavid will make his decision? They’ll likely choose the latter.

So McDavid will have plenty of time to choose the exact city he wants to go to. It’ll likely be a Philly, Chicago or Detroit type, after they’ve spent most of his career collecting tons of young talent, all budding and coming into their own, just as he arrives in town. Guaranteeing himself, to be playing important hockey games, late every season he remains in the league.

As for Leon? Post 30, when the legs go, they go real quickly for top heavy skaters. LD is just that. Remember his skating issues coming in. He’s not a naturally gifted skater. For every nimble, natural skater, who’s extended his career into his late 30s, there’s 50, who once they lose just a step, they’re out of the league 1-2 years later. Leon won’t be bouncing around at $14 million AAV.

In fact, ironically, one of the major reasons McDavid may decide to move to a new city, is Leon being in Edmonton, with that $14 million anchor around his neck.

This is hilarious to read. Leon and Connor are best friends. Best men in each other's weddings, wives are each other's maids of honor, etc. To think these two haven't long discussed this together is hilarious. Keep casting your wishing stones brother.

 

[KCC]

The Jets will be paying Mark Scheifele 8.5 million dollars until he is 38 years old.

Mackinnon will be making 12.6 mill until he’s in his mid 30s as well. It is what it is. Top players tend to get paid.

 

[NeverForget06]

I'm responding to your wishcasting that the cap will go up to eat up the giant anchor like contracts the oilers will be finding themselves in, and gently informing you the damage is already done. your team has already lost its best chance at winning.

Crosby at McDavids age already had 3 cups.

What would you suggest they do? Let Draisaitl walk?

You're just sour because the Jets window is actually closed and they will be a stepping stone for the Oilers just like they were in the 80s

 

[5 14 6 1]

I mean, that's really McDavid-no? It would be interesting to see Draisaitl on another team but alas that is not to be. The Oilers had to do this and he "deserves" it, so much ado about nothing really. The overpayment of Bouchard will be more entertaining. Imagine spending almost $20 mil a season on he and Nurse. Mama mia!

Leon is a bonafide hall of a famer who will have his jersey retired. Not sure what more you want to be deemed franchise defining.

Bouchard deserves his money. We will see what he signs for.

 

[MessierII]

Crosby at McDavids age already had 3 cups.

When proven wrong, reach for the strawman. Well done chap.

What he said is also wrong. Crosby had 1 cup at McDavids age.

 

[BFLO]

Ohh lawdy. That's a big contract.