Leon Draisaitl's impending extension will impact Connor McDavid becoming 'highest-paid player in NHL history', opines Derek Van Diest

By ARJUN B

Modified Aug 11, 2024 11:32 GMT

NHL analyst Derek Van Diest believes that Leon Draisaitl's impending contract extension will impact Connor McDavid's ability to become the highest-paid player in NHL history.

Draisaitl is in his final year of his 8-year, $68 million contract, while McDavid inked an 8 year, $100 million agreement back in 2017 that runs until 2026 (according to spotrac.com).

“Conor McDavid is going to be the highest-paid player in hockey history in the next contract. I think he’s a guy that deserves it. He’s a guy that’s proven he’s a superstar. Van Diest said on Wednesday to the NHL Network.

However, Van Diest also highlighted the need for the Oilers to strike a balance between paying their star duo and surrounding them with talented players.

"I think the domino will fall with, where they sign Draisaitl. Because you can’t just pay those two guys an exorbitant amount of money and not put a team around them." he noted.

"But I think that will play out if Leon Draisaitl’s here for a long time and Connor McDavid goes, ‘Hey, my sidekicks going to be here for a long time.’ You can expect Connor McDavid to sign here for a long time." Van Diest explained.

Van Diest noted that the Oilers' management has expressed their desire to keep the dynamic duo together for their entire careers.

“They both, management here in Edmonton, both want them here for their entire career. They want the dynamic duo, as they called here in Edmonton together, and they think as long as they stay together, they will extend that window."

Derek Van Diest on Oilers GM Stan Bowman's plans for Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid

Derek Van Diest had a conversation with Oilers GM Stan Bowman during the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup.

Bowman said to Van Diest:

"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. Kind of like (Jonathan) Toews and (Patrick) Kane were when he was in Chicago.”

Van Diest made it clear that Bowman views locking up his two young stars for long-term deals as pivotal.

"He knows that in order for the Oilers to compete for the Stanley Cup on a yearly basis, those two guys have to be a big part of it," he said.

Fans can expect roster moves and contract negotiations to build around their dynamic duo.