There have been doubtless quite a lot of congratulatory fist bumps being traded contained in the Edmonton Oilers workplaces at Rogers Place on Tuesday after the staff signed star ahead Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year, $112 million contract.
Locking up the dynamic German sniper does two issues for the Oilers: it avoids the distraction of getting Draisaitl’s contract standing hanging over the 2024 season and it reveals star middle Connor McDavid the staff is dedicated to profitable.
However given Draisaitl’s huge new cap hit — $14M per yr, the best in NHL historical past — can the Oilers actually afford to maintain McDavid as effectively?
If Draisaitl is price as a lot as Edmonton agreed to pay him, then McDavid, who’s scored 100 or extra factors in seven of his 9 NHL seasons and 30 or extra objectives in eight seasons, has acquired to be price considerably extra — doubtless between $14M and $18M per yr.