Draisaitl reportedly interested in joining Eastern Conference team

PUBLICATION

Cooper Godin
May 2, 2024 (7:46)

SHARE THIS STORY

Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl has one more year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $8.5 million and is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, 2025. While it's too early to tell if he'll sign an extension with the Oilers this summer or test unrestricted free agency next year, there is already one team that German forward reportedly has his eyes on.

In an article on Boston Hockey Now, Jimmy Murphy shared information from former NHLer Georges Laraque, who said that Leon Draisaitl is reportedly interested in playing for the Boston Bruins if the Oilers don't go far in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"Someone well placed within the Oilers organization said that if the Oilers don't go deep in the playoffs, he doesn't see Draisaitl re-signing at the end of his deal and that he'd prefer to be a first-line center in Boston," Laraque said while on a radio show in Quebec recently.

It's hard to envision Leon Draisaitl wearing any other jersey than the blue and orange of the Edmonton Oilers, but if Laraque's intel is correct, it'll be interesting to see if the Bruins, or any other team, try to pursue him either via trade or in free agency in 2025. It's safe to say that all 31 other teams in the National Hockey League would love to have Draisaitl on their roster.

The 28-year-old has become one of the best players in the National Hockey League since making his debut and has recorded 100 or more points in five of the last six seasons. In 719 regular season games, all with the Oilers, Draisaitl has 850 points (347 goals, 503 assists).

Draisaitl has his focus on chasing a Stanley Cup with the Oilers this spring, but will become eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1st. Many will be watching to see if he puts pen to paper as soon as he's allowed to on Canada Day or if this will drag on throughout the 2024-25 season.