The Edmonton Oilers and Leon Draisaitl would be the greatest storylines this offseason moreover free company. Draisaitl is eligible to signal an extension with the Oilers on July 1.
The Oilers ended heartbreakingly with a loss in Recreation 7 of the Stanley Cup Last. His contract negotiations are the furthest factor from his thoughts. However for the primary time on Wednesday, he expressed his love for taking part in for the Edmonton Oilers.
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“It’s going to take some time to determine what I would like, what the Oilers need, what everybody desires and go from there,” Draisaitl stated to the media on Wednesday. “I really like being an Oiler greater than something.”
As Jeff Jackson takes over duties with Ken Holland not coming again to the Edmonton Oilers, the precedence is to lock up Leon Draisaitl. With the wage cap anticipated to go up, the Oilers may have cash to play with.
Let’s be sincere: The COVID cap damage lots of groups and what they wished to do. However by the point Draisaitl’s new extension kicks in, if he had been to increase with the Oilers, the wage cap will likely be within the low $90 million vary. In fact, Connor McDavid will want a brand new deal as nicely, and when his new deal kicks in, the wage cap could possibly be round $100 million.
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However sticking with Draisaitl, the query now’s what he could possibly be making on his subsequent deal.
TSNs Ryan Rishaug and TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button sort out that very query.
Ryan Rishaug: “Okay, there’s two parts to this. Will he signal and what does it seem like greenback smart after which what if he’s not prepared to signal an extension? Let’s take care of these separately as a result of they’re each massive. I feel the quantity Craig’s is $14 (million) minimal. Most likely past that. And you recognize, I’ve, look I’ve obtained spreadsheets. I’ve been considering if Leon has been interested by this, I’ve been for a few years now I’ve run a bunch of numbers like can the house owners is a aggressive crew with Leon Draisaitl at $14 and a half million and McDavid in at $16 (million) say on his extension or much more. I consider they will it could be robust however you need to take the orders are prepared to principally open up the checkbook and determine a method to make this work.”
Craig Button: “So now I get to point out off my math. Good. Like we’re gonna play slightly bit math equation right here. cap goes as much as $88 million subsequent yr, the yr after, I’ll name it $94.
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Rishaug: “That will be the primary yr of his new deal.”
Button: “Then the yr after $100 million, which is McDavid’s first yr.”
Rishaug: “That will be the primary yr of his.”
Button: “You’re telling me $14 (million) and $16 for Connor McDavid.”
Rishaug: “14 and a half. $16 and a half.”
Button: “Okay, good. Okay, that’s no downside. $30 million. That’s $69 million to work to get a crew constructed round Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.”
Rishaug: “$10 (million) or so for Evan Bouchard.”
Button: “Signal me up signal me up. Prefer it’s doable. Yeah, is it simple? No, it isn’t. However that’s the job of administration. Like if all the pieces was simply handed to you on a platter and was simple to do all people would do it. However whenever you had been speaking about Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl collectively at these numbers, understanding that the cap goes up considerably. It’s the progress within the recreation is absolutely large. And it could be even a lot greater than that. In order that’s the place it’s going to be. And that very nicely could possibly be a part of the calculation for Leon Draisaitl and his group.
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What’s it going to seem like? You already know, am I going to depart cash on the desk? And definitely, I feel there’s one other half to this proper, and also you simply watch it unfold the course of this yr. This can be a crew that’s very shut now and it’s a crew. It’s a very good crew. And sure, might they get again and compete for the Stanley Cup subsequent yr? No query they will based mostly on what they confirmed this yr. So now what do you do?
As a result of you may say that perhaps he’s not going to signal we’ve seen different gamers David Pastrnak did this. He waited till nicely into the final months earlier than he signed his extension as a possible unrestricted free agent. That was a document setting right here for the Boston Bruins. They discovered a method to get it accomplished. This can be a good Edmonton Oilers crew. I don’t assume that is nearly if he doesn’t signal. I feel you need to wait it out.”
It is going to be fascinating to see the place these discussions go. Leon Draisaitl has given the hockey world one thing to speak about this summer season.