NHL analyst believes Leon Draisaitl could've ended up making more than current $112M contract

By Cole Shelton

Modified Sep 04, 2024 16:04 GMT

NHL analyst Frankie Corrado of TSN believes Edmonton Oilers superstar forward Leon Draisaitl could have gotten more money. Draisaitl signed an eight-year, $112 million extension with the Oilers on Tuesday.

The agreement makes Draisaitl the highest-paid player in the NHL when the contract kicks in, starting the 2025-26 season. However, speaking on "First Up on TSN1050" on Wednesday, Corrado thinks Draisaitl could have gotten even more money.

"My reaction was, it makes sense," Corrado said. "It makes sense that they got it done. The only thing that I guess was different in my mind, compared to the contract, was that I thought he might have gone medium-term on the deal. Maybe a four or five-year deal. See where the team is at, see where the cap is at.

"Because a player like that is going to continue to put up big numbers. So, you know, the money is always going to be there for him, and with the cap going up, and hopefully, we don't have to live in a flat cap world anymore, he could have cashed in even more in four or five years' time."

Per Corrado, Draisaitl could have signed a shorter-term deal and tried to cash in again in four or five years. Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews is doing just that, as he signed a four-year deal instead of the maximum eight-year deal he could have. But Draisaitl decided to commit long-term to the Oilers by signing for the maximum length he could.

Leon Draisaitl was selected third overall in the 2014 NHL draft. He recorded 41 goals and 65 assists for 106 points in 81 games last season.

Leon Draisaitl wants to be an Oiler for life

Following Leon Draisaitl signing the contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers, he spoke to the media about the deal.

Draisaitl said he wanted to be an Oiler for life and was glad he was able to come to terms on an eight-year contract.

“I have a hard time picturing myself in another jersey, I wanted to be an Oiler for life,” Draisaitl said, via EdmontonJournal. "I love nothing more than wearing that jersey.

“With what we’ve built over the last couple of years and how at home I feel in Edmonton, I think we’re building something really special and it’s something I want to continue to be a part of and hopefully get it one step further.”

Leon Draisaitl has played in 719 games, recording 347 goals and 503 assists for 850 points.