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NHL Rumors: Insider speculates Leon Draisaitl's personal relationship with Connor McDavid will determine his future in Edmonton
Oilers superstars Connon McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are two of the biggest names in Edmonton. Their on-ice chemistry has made them one of the most formidable duos in the NHL.
However, both players' contracts are set to expire soon. Draisaitl's eight-year contract will be ending after the 2024-25 season and McDavid's after the 2025-26 season. This has raised concern among fans whether the team can retain both players.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli recently shared his thoughts on the possible separation of the duo. During his appearance on the “Daily Faceoff LIVE” on Wednesday, Seravalli addressed the "buzz" around Leon Draisaitl exiting the franchise after his contract runs out:
“Yeah I don’t see it and I don’t really understand the hysteria and buzz around it because I’ve always viewed these two players as a package deal,” Frank Seravalli said. “There’s only one place that Draisaitl can play with the best player on planet Earth, and it’s here in Edmonton. And by the way, they also happen to be best friends." [H/T Oilersnation]
According to Seravalli, the speculation about Leon Draisaitl leaving the Oilers is unfounded. He mentioned that it is only in Edmonton that Draisaitl can play alongside who he called the best player in the world, Connor McDavid.
“It’s going to be hard to envision those two separating from each other. I think maybe the conversation is different if the Oilers had won a Stanley Cup, then Draisaitl could branch off and go on his own,” Seravalli added.
Frank Seravalli discusses Oilers’ financial challenges with Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard’s looming extension
During the discussion, Seravalli pointed out that the team would need to pay substantial raises to retain both Draisaitl and McDavid. Additionally, they would also need to secure a new contract for defenseman Evan Bouchard, whose deal will expire alongside Draisaitl’s contract:
“The Oilers are going to have to pay regardless and they know that,” said Seravalli. “That’s the complicating part that we talked about yesterday with Darnell Nurse is they’ve got to pay Evan Bouchard too.”
He mentioned that after an impressive 82-point season and strong playoff performance, Bouchard is expected to receive a significant extension. Seravalli put the number in the ballpark of about $10 million a year:
“He stretches now into, what, $10 million a year after the bridge deal? After an 82-point season and a monster playoffs, probably! So Draisaitl needs a raise, Bouchard needs a raise, eventually in the near future Connor McDavid needs a raise. It’s a lot of raises.”
Seravalli pointed out that Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard and Connor McDavid all will need substantial raises soon, which could put pressure on the Oilers' salary cap.
The Oilers will need to allocate a considerable amount of their salary cap to keep all these key players. Now it will be interesting to see how the team will go about it in the coming seasons.
What do you make of Frank Seravalli's comments? Do you think Leon Draisaitl will stay in Edmonton alongside Connor McDavid? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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