PREGNANT DEAL:The Oilers and Leon Draisaitl are negotiating a contract extension, but a separation is …
The Edmonton Oilers nearly accomplished the greatest comeback in Stanley Cup Finals history, forcing a game 7 after trailing 3-0 in the series. Despite their valiant effort, they fell one game short. Looking ahead to the 2024-2025 season, the Oilers are determined to complete the task.
They have bolstered their lineup with key depth scorers by acquiring veterans Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner. The defense and goaltending remain largely unchanged, barring any significant moves before the season starts.
The biggest question mark for the Oilers is Leon Draisaitl. The German star is entering the final year of an eight-year contract he signed in 2017 with an average annual value of $8.5 million. He has significantly outperformed his contract, ranking second only to Connor McDavid in points since the 2017-2018 season with 713 points. Draisaitl has achieved five 100+ point seasons in the last six years and has scored 30 or more goals in six consecutive seasons. Despite playing in McDavid’s shadow, he has established himself as one of the league’s top players.
Draisaitl’s value has only increased over time. He accepted a hometown discount in 2017 but is unlikely to do so again. McDavid earns $12.5 million per year, and Nathan MacKinnon earns $12.6 million. Draisaitl, who has been just as productive, currently makes $4 million less. The Oilers are unlikely to exceed McDavid’s cap hit if they extend Draisaitl, but it remains unclear what their maximum offer will be.
There are 35 players with higher cap hits than Draisaitl, yet none have amassed more points or received more individual awards. For instance, Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks makes $11.6 million after signing an extension this past season, with point totals of 89, 102, and 68 over the last three seasons. William Nylander of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who earns $11.5 million, has recorded 98, 87, and 80 points over the same period.
