Leon Draisaitl opines he 'didnt push contract all the way to the limit' with $112M Oilers extension

By Abhishek Dilta

Modified Sep 12, 2024 06:12 GMT

Earlier this month, the Edmonton Oilers signed Leon Draisaitl to a lucrative eight-year contract worth $112 million, making him the highest earner in the league.

This deal is set to begin at the start of the 2025–26 season. During a discussion with Daily Faceoff's Matt Larkin, Draisaitl opined that he did not feel the need to push the contract negotiations to their limits, expressing satisfaction with the agreement.

He also clarified whether he felt a responsibility to set a precedent for other players in the league, emphasizing that he is pleased with his contract without necessarily aiming to raise the bar for others.

Leon Draisaitl said:

“I don’t think I necessarily pushed my contract all the way to the limit. I’d like to state that. But I am very happy with it.”

Leon Draisaitl is happy to stay with the Oilers for the next eight years after signing his contract extension. With the deal now complete, the 28-year-old German is focused on the upcoming season.

“Yeah, it’s a nice feeling to just know where I’m going to be at least for the next couple of years and be able to continue to chip away at what we’ve been creating and building over the last couple of years and focus on really truly just the hockey side over contracts and talking to my agents every other day.”

He has started practicing with his linemates, Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson, who joined the Oilers as free agents in July. Draisaitl's commitment to the team and his readiness to work with his new teammates show his dedication as the season approaches.

"I take great pride in being an Oiler:" Leon Draisaitl excited about long-term commitment to Oilers

After inking the extension, Draisaitl expressed his deep pride in being an Oiler, emphasizing his strong emotional connection to the team and its fans.

Draisaitl's commitment to the organization reflects his desire to remain with the team for the long term, highlighting his enthusiasm for counting his career in Edmonton. He said:

"I take great pride in being an Oiler and always obviously wear my heart on my sleeve, but I love nothing more than wearing that jersey and representing our city and our great fans, I'm really, really excited and happy to hopefully be an Oiler for life."

He'll be entering his 11th campaign with the Oilers in the upcoming season.