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Stan Bowman addresses Leon Draisaitl's impending contract extension with Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers' new GM, Stan Bowman, made it clear that securing Leon Draisaitl's contract extension is a top priority for the team.
Following Bowman's appointment on Wednesday, the focus swiftly shifted back to addressing Draisaitl's future with the club. Previously, CEO and former interim GM Jeff Jackson had indicated that negotiations would occur once a new GM was in place.
Bowman emphasized Leon Draisaitl's importance, stating:
"Leon is a star player and he's top priority for me. I want Leon to be an Oiler for life," via Preston Hodgkinson of Daily Hive.
Bowman's statement underscores the team's commitment to retaining key players for long-term success. Meanwhile, Draisaitl is entering the final year of an eight-year, $68 million contract signed with the Edmonton Oilers in 2017. He will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Insider reckons Leon Draisaitl could sign an extension soon rather than later
Last week, NHL insider David Pagnotta of "The Fourth Period" hinted that Oilers star forward Leon Draisaitl might secure a contract extension sooner rather than later.
Pagnotta, speaking on the "Hello Hockey Podcast," discussed the potential contract for the 28-year-old German forward. He suggested that negotiations could lead to a short-term deal, resembling Auston Matthews-style extensions, possibly ranging from three to five years rather than a full eight-year term.
“They’re going to continue their discussions with respect to an extension. Unless something has changed, since, I guess, the start of the playoffs, it’s more likely to see an Auston Matthews-esque-type extension. “Four, five-year deal. Or, anywhere between a three to five-year extension versus a full eight," said Pagnotta.
For context, Matthews inked a four-year, $53 million extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs last year. According to PuckPedia, his contract carries a $13.25 million annual cap hit.
Notably, most analysts and insiders believe Leon Draisaitl's new contract should command a salary of at least $12 million.
Draisaitl was drafted with the third overall pick by the Oilers in the 2014 NHL draft. He's been with the club for the past ten seasons and notched up five 100-point campaigns with the club.
With Stan Bowman on the board as the Oilers' new GM, it will be intriguing to see how Draisaitl's contract extension negotiations advance from here.
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