The Edmonton Oilers have locked their star Leon Draisaitl to a new long-term deal, but the move came at a historically steep price.
The Oilers announced on Tuesday that Draisaitl inked an eight-year, $112 million extension. With a $14 million annual average, it is the most expensive deal ever given to a player in the salary cap era. The previous record belonged to Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews, who earns $13.25 million on average.
Draisaitl was previously set to enter the final year of the eight-year, $68 million deal he signed back in 2017. He is now under contract through the 2032-33 NHL season.
“Players like Leon are special: There’s not many people in the world that can play hockey like he does,” said general manager Stan Bowman in a statement. “There’s no way we could ever replace what Leon brings to the table. He’s a huge part of our team, he has been and he will continue to be.”
It is hard to argue Bowman’s assessment because Draisaitl has been nothing short of special for the Oilers in recent years. He surpassed 100 points in five out of the last six seasons, and the only season he didn’t manage to do that was shortened to 2020-21.
Draisaitl finished the 2023-24 with 106 points (41 goals and 65 assists) in 81 games en route to his fifth All-Star appearance. He then added 10 goals and 21 assists for 31 points in the playoffs, being one of the key players in Edmonton’s run to the Stanley Cup Finals.
