Insider on what Leon Draisaitl gets on next contract and why he's staying put

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TJ Tucker
July 26, 2024 (4:56 PM)

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Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers is due for a new contract in another year, and an insider gives his take on what he'll get and why Draisaitl won't be leaving

New Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman certainly has his hands full in his first year in the position. One of his star players, Leon Draisaitl
, has just one season remaining on his contract. One insider believes Draisaitl is about to get the highest cap hit in league history.

Jim Matheson, who has covered the Oilers for more than 40 years, states Draisaitl will get somewhere in the vicinity of $13.5 million per year. Auston Matthews has the current highest cap hit in the league at $13.25 million annually on a contract that just kicked in. Matheson also assured fans that the team of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl won't be breaking up anytime soon.

"If Oilers offer to Draisaitl starts with a 13, this deal is getting done, and maybe soon. I suspect he'll sign for about $13.5m a year. All this talk about him wanting to be top dog somewhere else? Why? The Oilers are closer to Cup than just about any other contender."

Matheson isn't wrong. Many have argued that a solid number one goaltender should put Edmonton over the top when it comes to beating a team like the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. Switch teams with Sergei Bobrovsky and Stuart Skinner when Florida defeated Edmonton in seven games, and the outcome would almost certainly have been different.

"Bobrovsky's head/shoulder/hip rotation here is the reason he makes the save. I know McDavid's shot was going back post and that helps, but goalies that lose their structure, that dive and fall back on their butts have no chance even on a shot that is not perfect."

What Matheson didn't say was how long Draisaitl's next contract might be for. The 28-year-old will play the final season of his current eight year deal in 2024-25. It will be surprising if the Oilers don't have him re-signed by the end of it.

POLL
JUILLET 26 \| 230 ANSWERS Insider on what Leon Draisaitl gets on next contract and why he's staying put Do you believe Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers will get a $13.5 million AAV on his next contract?
Yes	124	53.9 %
Higher	27	11.7 %
Lower	67	29.1 %
Not sure	12	5.2 %
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