Oilers sign Leon Draisaitl to eight-year extension

Sportsnet's Mark Spector joined Sportsnet Today to discuss the breaking news that the Edmonton Oilers resigned Leon Draisaitl, that the Oilers finally have their Malkin/Crosby type of duo and how the Toronto Maple Leafs could be affected by the deal.

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers have signed centre Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of US$8.5 million.

The extension starts this coming season and goes through the 2024-25 campaign, running mostly concurrently with the eight-year, $100-million extension star captain Connor McDavid signed with the club in July. McDavid’s extension will come into effect after he finishes his entry-level deal this season.

With the signing, the Oilers are banking heavily on McDavid and Draisaitl providing a potent one-two punch for the club as it looks to build on last season’s return to the playoffs after a decade of futility.

Draisaitl, a 21-year-old German, had 77 points (29 goals, 48 assists) last season, his third in the NHL.

He finished eighth among NHL scorers, and second on the Oilers behind McDavid.

He also led the Oilers in scoring during the 2017 playoffs, posting 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 13 games.

Draisaitl was selected third overall by the Oilers at the 2015 NHL draft.

August 16, 2017

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Leon Draisaitl
SIGNED BY
Edmonton Oilers
LENGTH
8 yrs
CONTRACT TYPE
Contract Extension
SALARY CAP HIT
$8.5 million
TOTAL
$68 million

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