Does Leon Draisaitl Want To Stay In Edmonton For The Forseeable Future?
The Edmonton Oilers reached Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final but failed to win one game. Now, the real work begins for Jeff Jackson and company. The first order of business will be Leon Draisaitl and his extension.
TSN Hockey Insiders Pierre LeBrun, Ryan Rishaug, and Darren Dreger joined James Duthie following Game 7 to answer the question of does Leon Draisaitl stay in Edmonton long?
** NHLRumors.com transcript
James Duthie: “I’m back for the last time in these tournaments with the insiders Pierre LeBrun, Ryan Rishaug, and Darren Dreger. Things move fast in hockey. They released the trophy an hour ago (Monday night). And we already have to ask questions about the future of the Oilers. Hey, when you release the trophy on June 24, and big things are coming, you have to get to that quickly. And the immediate questions will be about the future of the stars and that is Leon Draisaitl, because he is the one who is available to sign an extension soon.”
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Ryan Rishaug: “Yes, he will be an unrestricted free agent after next season. But like you said, James can get a deal done. Two big questions here on Draisaitl for me. First, are you willing to sign a long-term deal and stay in Edmonton for a long time? That’s a first and it’s our understanding that they’re going to get into that conversation right away.
And then the next one asks Dregs if, if he’s not going to sign an extension, should they consider a trade option for this player rather than putting him in his unrestricted gear and risking losing him for nothing? That sounds inflammatory, but we’ve seen it happen in the past, and Dregs, our sense is that Jeff Jackson is willing to take that risk if they don’t get a deal done quickly. I don’t think there will be a rush to sell the boys.”
Darren Dreger: “No I agree with that. I mean, the Edmonton Oilers plan to get busy as soon as possible, and as soon as they’re allowed to do so, which is July 1. Regarding Leon Draisaitl’s extension. But they also respect and appreciate the process and everything that Leon Draisaitl invested to get Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final. So I think what you’ll see once they get past July 1st, the Oilers will be quick to put a very significant offer on the table. They saw that he’s a top talent in the NHL and deserves to be paid like that.”
Duthie: “What are we talking about now? Like $13-14 (million)?”
Rishaug: “Keep going like $14.5 (million). It’s probably at that level.”
Dreger: “It will be up there. I mean, there’s going to be a percentage, and you’re showing it over the next year, obviously, right? So if the salary goes up into the low 90s and Leon Draisaitl commands 15, 16% of that salary cap, you get into that $14 million range.”
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LeBrun: “I can also add that I don’t believe that Leon Draisaitl has had many discussions about his future with many people who I am told by people close to him that he was very focused on trying to win the Stanley Cup. . He parked this whole side of his career until it was time to have it. Of course. Therefore, there are six days between the cup and July 1.
The only thing I can say is what I understand from you guys is that someone has come and gone in winning a trophy, maybe that brings the team back together for one year and the cards fall where they may. The caveat I can throw out there is this. You never know what other teams will do when they come to you. They realize he is not signing an extension. We’re not saying he won’t, though, if he doesn’t sign it this summer. You never know what kind of calls and trades you can get.”
Rishaug: “The last dynamic here is that I think we need to deal with the idea that he and Connor McDavid will have this conversation and see it clearly because McDavid can negotiate next year. I think it’s important to point out to James that, you know, these should be treated separately. Leon Draisaitl I think will make a decision that is best for him and his career. Connor McDavid, I think the best expectation is that McDavid will do some kind of Blob out; yes, I will stay too. These need to be done separately. As strange as that sounds. “
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