With the bulk of the heavy lifting already done in the 2024 class of unrestricted free agents, many have started looking ahead to a 2025 group that is currently star-studded. Among the headliners is Oilers center Leon Draisaitl who, despite making $8.5MM per season, has been one of the better bargains in the NHL in recent years. That should soon change as the 28-year-old will undoubtedly become one of the NHL’s highest-paid players on his next contract.
How soon that next deal comes is still under question. Edmonton is currently without a GM following the departure of Ken Holland with team president Jeff Jackson serving in the interim role; Jackson has previously indicated that he doesn’t want to take on the full-time managerial position. To that end, the search for a full-time replacement for Holland is ongoing and it makes sense for that hire to be in place before any substantive discussions get underway.
However, it appears that Draisaitl’s European-based agent feels there’s a deadline to get this done. Speaking with Eishockey News’ Michael Bauer, Jiri Poner indicated that the end of the summer might be the deadline to get a deal in place:
There’s no rush yet, but either it happens quickly, i.e. by the end of August, or it doesn’t work out at all. It will also become clear whether Edmonton really wants him or not. Leon holds all the trump cards.
Technically, Edmonton can negotiate with Draisaitl right up to free agency next July so this stance from Poner suggests that Draisaitl’s preference might be to set a hard line of not negotiating during the season. If that’s the case, whoever takes over as GM won’t have much time to work out an agreement to keep him in the fold.
Draisaitl has passed the 100-point mark in five of the last six seasons and over that stretch, he has the second-most points in the NHL. His teammate, Connor McDavid, is the only one ahead of him. With McDavid’s current contract coming back in 2017, his $12.5MM AAV doesn’t stand as a great comparable. However, the recent $13.25MM AAV that Auston Matthews received from Toronto last year could very well be in play, especially if he makes it to the open market next summer.
Can Edmonton afford to pay Draisaitl market value for 2025-26 knowing that McDavid’s deal will be up a year later and cost considerably more? That’s a question the new GM will have to answer relatively quickly given Poner’s comments regarding a possible deadline for talks. Having said that, Poner did add that he’s very confident that the two sides will be able to hammer out a deal to keep Draisaitl in an Oilers uniform for years to come.
Whatever you do don’t let Bowman handle it.
Oh man, it sounds like Draisaitl & his representatives are putting the squeeze on the Oilers already by telling them either get a deal done by the end of the summer or else goodbye Edmonton after the season.
It doesn’t help that Edmonton don’t have a GM in place & whoever gets in there is going to have to go from 0 to 60 in trying to negotiate with Draisaitl in such a short timeframe.
If Draisaitl hits the open market after the season, it’s going to be a FA frenzy of teams going after him for his services.
What I got out of Edmonton media is that Jackson definitely wants his hire to negotiate the contract, i.e. Draisaitl is a backburner thing. The agent is doing his in job saying that Draisaitl deserves to feel like a frontburner problem. It’s just posturing I think, doubtful Draisaitl is going anywhere.
My German isn’t very good but one interesting thing from that Eishockey article is that Draisaitl is also partially rep’d by Mike Liut.
Truth McDavid will decide this. He will talk to Mcdavid If He plans on leaving. He will also. Unless money matters more then winning. Oilers only were They are today with Mcdavid.
Not sure I understood your whole post, but I would be wary of thinking Draisaitl wanting a cup above a contract. This will be his best chance to get a true 1A payday, and he deserves it. It wouldn’t be the world’s biggest surprise to see him leave.