Edmonton is not inclined to let the 28-year-old center simply play out the final year of his contract and walk directly into free agency next July, according to multiple league sources familiar with the front office’s view of the situation.
With
Connor McDavid eligible to sign an extension 12 months down the line and the Oilers eager to extend their championship window as long as possible, there is at least some concern about the potential for a “double whammy” in the event Draisaitl were retained for 2024-25 without a new contract in place. It could create a scenario where he leaves for nothing just as McDavid is set to chart his own future.
Any scenario that might see both players leave in quick succession would be catastrophic for Edmonton and must be avoided at all costs.
While the longtime teammates and close friends aren’t a package deal — they’re each operating on the principle of making the best decision tailored for their individual circumstances, according to league sources — they are inextricably linked.