The Edmonton Oilers fell one recreation shy of profitable a Stanley Cup championship, and now that the season is over, many have puzzled what the longer term holds for the workforce’s prime two stars, Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.
The 28-year-old Draisaitl has another yr left on his contract and is eligible to signal an extension on July 1, however his latest remarks after Edmonton’s Stanley Cup loss to the Florida Panthers have left many questioning if he’s dedicated to staying with the workforce past 2024.
“I will provide the most boring reply right here — I am clearly going to take a seat down with my brokers right here and discuss to the Oilers and see what their plan is, see what our plan is, and go from there,” Draisaitl told reporters Wednesday, through NHL.com. “It is one thing going to take a bit little bit of time [to think about] what I would like, what the Oilers need and what everybody needs and go from there. Edmonton has the one likelihood to signal me, so I suppose they’re first. I am going to go away it at that. Clearly, I like being an Oiler greater than something.”
Draisaitl is a linchpin of the Oilers offense. He’s scored 100 or extra factors in 5 of the final six seasons, together with three 50-goal seasons, and he and McDavid type arguably essentially the most dynamic scoring duo within the NHL.
The Athletic’s Chris Johnston reported on Tuesday that the Oilers don’t need to enter subsequent season with Draisaitl’s contract scenario hanging over their heads, insinuating that issues will get resolved this summer time, whether or not he’s signed to a profitable extension or is traded to a different workforce.
“Edmonton shouldn’t be inclined to let the 28-year-old heart merely play out the ultimate yr of his contract and stroll straight into free company subsequent July, based on a number of league sources acquainted with the entrance workplace’s view of the scenario,” Johnston wrote.