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NHL Trade Rumors: Former NHLer deems $68-million Leon Draisaitl a fit for Boston Bruins
Rumors are circulating about the Boston Bruins possibly acquiring or signing Leon Draisaitl from the Edmonton Oilers. According to Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now, former NHLer Georges Laraque said on BPM Sports a few weeks ago that Draisaitl could join the Bruins if he doesn't extend his Oilers contract.
Laraque shared that an insider from the Oilers organization suggested that Leon Draisaitl might prefer to move if the Oilers don't perform well in the playoffs. Laraque later clarified his statement to Boston Hockey Now, emphasizing the importance of the playoff run for Draisaitl's decision:
"Someone around the team told me that there’s a chance Leon doesn’t resign with the Oilers and the importance of this playoff run was huge for that regard then when we were talking about potential best fit I said Boston because they had no centers.”
Given the Bruins roster at the moment, they are indeed in need of a top-line center, and Leon Draisaitl ticks all the boxes. However, there haven't been any other reports indicating the 28-year-old German forward's desire for a change in scenery.
As Draisaitl competes in the Western Conference final against the Dallas Stars, he's a strong contender for the 2024 Conn Smythe Trophy, leading in points (25), goals (12) and assists (20) in the NHL after 14 games.
Draisaitl has one more year remaining in his eight-year, $68 million contract signed with the Oilers in 2017. He will become a UFA at the end of the 2024-25 season.
NHL Rumors: Leon Draisaitl may 'demand a trade' out of Edmonton if Oilers fail to make deep playoff run
Kris Knoblauch on Leon Draisaitl following Game 2 loss to Dallas Stars
The Edmonton Oilers fell short of the Dallas Stars with a 3-1 loss in Game 2 of the Western Conference final at the American Airlines Center on Saturday.
Jamie Benn, Mason Marchment and Esa Lindell scored for the Stars, while Connor Brown was the lone scorer for the Oilers. In the post-game media interaction, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch spoke highly of Draisaitl's strong desire to win.
Knoblauch reckoned that Leon Draisaitl is committed to giving his all to achieve his goal of securing a Stanley Cup. He said (via Sportsenet):
"He wants to win. I think he’s felt that the team has been really close … and the team’s fallen short. He doesn’t want to leave anything to chance. You don’t get many opportunities to win a Stanley Cup, and he wants to do everything possible.”
Game 3 of the best-of-7 Western Conference final series between the Edmonton Oilers and the Dallas Stars is at the Rogers Place on Monday.
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