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"Whatever Draisaitl gets in his next contract will set the bar for Connor McDavid" — NHL insider believes Oilers' duo's future hinges on vital new deal
The Edmonton Oilers made it to the Stanley Cup Final last season but lost to the Florida Panthers. The future of the core group is in the air, as Leon Draisaitl is entering the final year of his deal and Connor McDavid has two years left on his deal.
Draisaitl was eligible to sign an extension on July 1, but the German forward has yet to do so. If he does sign an extension, NHL.com's Dan Rosen believes that will be the starting number for McDavid, who can sign an extension on July 1:
"Draisaitl's next contract will be a big test for the Edmonton Oilers and the system at large," Dan Rosen wrote in his NHL.com article.
"He is entering the last season of an eight-year, $68 million contract ($8.5 million AAV). The Oilers already know that whatever Draisaitl gets in his next contract will set the bar for Connor McDavid, who has two years remaining on his current contract that has a $12.5 million AAV. McDavid is expected to clear whatever salary bar Draisaitl sets. If Draisaitl opts for shorter term, it's possible McDavid will, too, and vice versa."
Draisaitl is entering the final year of his eight-year, $68 million deal, as he is only making $8.5 million per season. However, the forward will likely get a hefty increase to pass $10 million per season.
Last season, Draisaitl played 81 games, recording 41 goals and 65 assists for 106 points.
Oilers GM says signing Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid is a priority
The Edmonton Oilers have a new general manager in Stan Bowman, who took over after the NHL reinstated him.
Bowman says his main priority for the Oilers is to sign Draisaitl to an extension so he doesn't hit the open market.
“Leon is a star player, and he’s top priority for me,” Bowman said, via TSN. “I want Leon to be an Oiler for life.”
Along with Draisaitl, Bowman says keeping McDavid in Edmonton is key for him.
“They’re the best there is,” Bowman said of the two star forwards. “I think that’s a priority, they clearly are a big part of what we’re doing... They are a huge part of this community, this team, and they are going to be going forward.”
In free agency, Edmonton made two key forward signings in Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner.
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