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Analyst opines GM Stan Bowman aims for Leon Draisaitl to remain "an Oiler for life”
NHL analyst Derek Van Diest shed light on the Edmonton Oilers' newly appointed General Manager Stan Bowman's plans for star player Leon Draisaitl.
Draisaitl is entering the final year of his eight-year, $68-million contract and has been a key figure in the Oilers' success alongside teammate Connor McDavid. According to Van Diest, Bowman's primary goal is to ensure that Draisaitl remains an Oiler for the entirety of his career.
“Well, he (GM Bowman) basically said that he wants Leon Draisaitl to be an Oiler for life, and that, that’s his goal coming in here. That’s his goal for his negotiations. He wants Leon Draisaitl to stay a member of the Edmonton Oilers.” Van Diest said on Wednesday to the NHL Network.
Negotiations are currently underway between Bowman and Draisaitl's representatives, led by agent Mike Liut, to secure a contract extension beyond the upcoming season.
"We had a great conversation… and he said to me, ‘Listen, if we want to keep this window open, this championship window open for Edmonton, those two guys have to be a part of it. Those two guys have to be pillars of it."
Van Diest gives a time frame for signing Draisaitl's extension, saying:
" I think they want to get this (signing Draisaitl) done before the season starts. I think they don’t want this to linger throughout the season. He doesn’t want to do questions about. He doesn’t want to get asked every time he does a media availability, what’s going on with Leon Draisaitl."
Oilers' GM Stan Bowman on Leon Draisaitl 's contract extension
Stan Bowman commented on Draisaitl's contract extension at the 2024 Gretzky Hlinka Cup at Rogers Place on Monday.
Bowman emphasized Draisaitl's talent and importance to the Oilers, saying:
“Leon is a super-talented player, a huge part of what we’re doing, and he has been and will be for some time and that hasn’t changed at all,” Bowman said. “I think it’s really hard to find stars in the NHL, so when you have them, the goal is to keep them.”
While negotiations are ongoing, Bowman said:
“I don’t have an update of where it’s (signing Leon Draisaitl)ogoing to be or the timing on that, but there is nothing negative to report, certainly.”
The Oilers are keen on finalizing Draisaitl's contract extension before the start of the new season.
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