NHL Rumors: Don’t Expect Leon Draisaitl’s Contract Extension Anytime Soon
Sportsnet: Nick Kypreos is asked about Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl, who is eligible for a contract extension on July 1st.
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Martine Gaillard: “Now the Stanley Cup kipper was released 24 hours ago but the off-season speculation has begun. Leon Draisaitl is eligible to sign a contract extension on Monday. It’s safe to assume the number won’t be $8.5 mil and, what do you expect it to be?
Kypreos: “Well, it’s safe to say he’s here but, you know, where it’s going to go, it’s probably going to be north of $14 or $15 million. I mean, we’re talking about one of the best players in the league and unfortunately, you know, he got hurt during the playoffs and the numbers weren’t good for him, but it shouldn’t affect his longevity. -term numbers should be.
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But Martine, this is going to be a very complicated negotiation. First and foremost, don’t expect anything on July 1st, unless you’re eligible to sign a long-term contract. There is no significance on July 1 for Leon Draisaitl.
He will take two or three weeks off like most players do after the Stanley Cup finals and I don’t expect any kind of news about his future until much later in the summer.
But going back to my original idea of being a complex conversation, this will be different here, because it’s not Leon. By Leon and Connor McDavid.
And even though Connor has one more year left on his contract, for Leon to commit to a long-term contract to stay, Edmonton will have to be blessed by Connor McDavid. I don’t see a future for Leon Draisaitl unless he sees a future with Connor McDavid.
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So it won’t be seen as a package but at the end of the day, these guys are very close and I can see them talking about finishing their careers together. Therefore, the discussion should involve both parties to have a clear understanding of what their future looks like in Edmonton but together.
