Leon Draisaitl struggled to imagine himself playing in the NHL for any team other than the Edmonton Oilers, which is why he has committed long-term to the organization’s quest for the Stanley Cup as the highest-paid player in hockey.
On Tuesday, Draisaitl signed an eight-year extension worth $112 million, making him the top salary cap hit in NHL history at $14 million per year. This new deal, the second-largest in total value in NHL history, will start in the 2025-26 season and extend through 2033.
“For me, it was always the Oilers,” Draisaitl said during a video call with reporters. “We haven’t achieved our goal yet, which makes this even more special. We’re all working towards the same objective. I’m thrilled to be part of this and to keep striving for the ultimate goal.”
The landmark deal comes just over two months after Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, and their teammates nearly completed a historic comeback in the Stanley Cup Final, coming back from a 3-0 series deficit before losing to Florida by one goal in Game 7. Draisaitl recorded 31 points in 25 playoff games during that run.
Draisaitl could have become a free agent next summer, making it a top priority for the organization to secure him with a long-term contract.
“Players like Leon are exceptional; there aren’t many who can play hockey like he does,” said general manager Stan Bowman, who was hired in late July. “There’s no way to replace what Leon brings. He’s a crucial part of our team, now and in the future.”
With this new contract, Draisaitl surpasses Auston Matthews’ $13.25 million cap hit, nearly doubling his previous salary of $8.5 million per year. The contract, the second-largest in NHL history behind Alex Ovechkin’s $124 million over 13 years, comes as the salary cap is expected to rise to over $90 million in the 2025-26 season due to record league revenues.
“Certainly, there will be challenges ahead, but we’ll address those as they come,” Bowman said. “For now, we’re just thrilled to have him with us.”
The forward from Cologne has proven to be worth the investment, with 850 points in 719 regular-season games and 108 points in 74 playoff games. His 1.46 points per game in the postseason rank fourth all-time among players with at least 40 playoff games, behind Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and McDavid.
Draisaitl mentioned that he consulted with McDavid, his close friend, throughout the process of signing the deal. “I did what I felt was best for me personally. Of course, I hope Connor stays as well,” Draisaitl said.
McDavid, who has won the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Hart Trophy three times, is eligible to sign a contract extension starting July 1. This deal is expected to include a raise from his current $12.5 million salary, now that Draisaitl has secured his new contract.
“Clearly, this shows our commitment to winning,” Bowman said when asked about how this deal might influence McDavid’s contract negotiations. “We want to win, and we’re doing everything we can to achieve that, which we hope Connor will appreciate. The specifics of the negotiations might be different, but I’m looking forward to those discussions.”
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