Oil Country let out a collective sigh of relief when Leon Draisaitl signed a long-term extension to stay in Edmonton for eight more years. It was the biggest item on this offseason’s agenda and signals to us Edmonton Oilers fans, and the entire hockey world, that the Oilers are here to stay.
The contract itself will make Draisaitl the highest-paid player in the league at a $14M average annual value. This may seem high, especially considering who else is on his team, but is relatively in line with other players in these dynamic duos.
Draisaitl contract comparable
For example, a quick comparison to Evgeni Malkin. When he signed his biggest contract, an eight-year extension in 2013 at the age of 27, his cap hit equated to 13.77% of the cap at the start of the contract.
Draisaitl, when his contract kicks in next season, will be 29. And his AAV will equate to around 15.91% of the cap, depending on the actual cap ceiling increase for the 2025–26 season.
All this to say that although he is now making a lot (and Connor McDavid will make even more), it is not completely out of line compared to past teams with a similar build being led by two superstar forwards.
Impact of Draisaitl signing in Edmonton long-term
What this contract signing does is signal a greater shift in the atmosphere and vibe surrounding the Oilers as a team and Edmonton as a city and destination in the NHL.
It has been no secret over the past 15 years that it is difficult to attract anyone to come play for the Oilers. Players weren’t fond of the city and climate, nor were they willing to put up with it for a poorly run team that was perpetually a lock for the bottom of the standings. Many players had Edmonton featured prominently on their no-trade lists.
Over the past few seasons, it is clear that is shifting. Players now want to come to and stay in Edmonton. And why wouldn’t they? A chance to line up with two of the greatest players of the generation, to compete for the Stanley Cup every season, and play in front of one of the most passionate hockey markets in the league. Despite the city being extremely cold while doing so.
In McDavid’s own words in a recent interview with Mike Zeisberger
“I think what you’re seeing is Edmonton isn’t a B market. It isn’t a C market. It’s a destination”
We’ve started seeing free agents who would have normally been much more expensive take pay cuts to come to or stay in Edmonton. Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner could have gotten more elsewhere, but they wanted to come join what the Oilers are building. Adam Henrique turned down higher offers from other teams to stay in Edmonton after his acquisition at the trade deadline last season.
Needless to say, this is a new era for the Oilers. One where the city has become a premier destination for players.
Impact on McDavid’s next contract
Elliott’s Friedman said it best in a recent episode of 32 Thoughts.
These two, McDavid and Draisaitl, do not do anything career-related independently at this point.
They have been teammates, linemates, and leaders in this organization and city for nearly a decade. The two talk about how they’ve essentially grown up together in this city. Their partners are close friends. Their lives are in very close alignment with each other’s. Hell, Draisaitl has even bought a summer home next door to McDavid’s so the two can work out together in the offseason.
When Draisaitl was working on and signing this extension, there is every reason to believe that he consulted with McDavid on their future plans and goals before making the decision to re-up long-term in Edmonton.
What this signals for the team, for the direction of the franchise, and for the competitive window of the team is that McDavid is more likely than not here to stay.
He is not able to sign his next extension until the 2025 offseason. But given these events, it is highly unlikely that the team, Draisaitl, and McDavid have not already started discussing this amongst themselves to set up for a quick extension once the window opens.
Putting to rest the rumours of star players leaving
It has basically been a running joke that the Oilers are ruining the careers of their star players, namely McDavid and Draisaitl. That as soon as they can, the two of them will bolt to other organizations.
Draisaitl had been included in a variety of unfounded trade speculation recently as people suggested he’d go to a rebuilding team to become a true number one. Those rumours never went anywhere beyond other fanbases airing their pipe dreams, but the talk still exists.
The same goes for the discussion surrounding McDavid. For years we’ve heard of how he will go home to Toronto the first chance he gets. There’s no way he stays in Edmonton to lose every season. The Oilers have ruined and wasted his career. Look how miserable he is and how much he wants to leave.
But that narrative is being directly confronted right now as we hit the next stage of Draisaitl and McDavid’s careers. One has already committed long-term to stay in Edmonton. And without much doubt it seems the other will follow suit next summer.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
