As the saga surrounding Leon Draisaitl’s contract continues to unfurl, speculation about his future earnings is intensifying. The Edmonton Oilers’ forward, a pivotal figure in the NHL, is reportedly set to receive a substantial pay raise that could see his salary climb to between $13.5 million and $14 million annually. Should he stay with the Oilers, Draisaitl is eligible for a maximum eight-year contract, whereas a move to another team would cap his term at seven years.
The new contract would not only place Draisaitl at the summit of the NHL’s salary rankings but it would also crown him as the highest-paid center in the league in terms of Average Annual Value (AAV). Currently, here’s how the top-paid centers stack up, with Draisaitl poised to leapfrog all once his deal is signed.
Throughout his tenure under his existing contract, which was once viewed as excessive, Draisaitl has proven to be a steal for the Oilers. Since joining the league in the 2015-16 season, he’s amassed the second-highest point total in the NHL. Now, as negotiations continue, it’s expected that his next contract will set a new benchmark for centers, surpassing even Sidney Crosby’s 12-year, $104.4 million deal in total value.
However, Draisaitl’s tenure as the NHL’s top earner might be brief. With Oilers teammate Connor McDavid’s contract set to expire in two seasons, it’s anticipated that he will sign a new deal that would once again redefine the upper limits of NHL salaries.
In summary, while the ink has yet to dry on Draisaitl’s deal, the implications are immense. Not only does this reiterate the Oilers’ commitment to their core talents, but it also sets the stage for another round of high-stakes negotiations once McDavid re-enters the discussion. The foreseeable future in Edmonton and the NHL, at large, hinges significantly on how these contracts evolve.
