Leon Draisaitl's Upcoming Extension: What He Could Ask For and if the Oilers Can Afford to Pay Him
Edmonton Oilers Superstar's Pending Contract Looms Large
The Edmonton Oilers are Stanley Cup contenders, but a shadow of uncertainty looms over the franchise: superstar Leon Draisaitl's pending contract.
Draisaitl's Contract Status
Draisaitl is heading into the final year of his contract next season. He is currently signed to an eight-year, $68 million contract that carries a cap hit of $8.5 million.
Draisaitl's Value
Draisaitl is one of the most dominant players in the NHL. He is a two-time Art Ross Trophy winner and a one-time Hart Trophy winner. He has also helped lead the Oilers to the Western Conference Final in two of the past three seasons.
As a result of his incredible play, Draisaitl is expected to command a significant raise on his next contract. Some experts believe he could ask for as much as $12 million per season.
Can the Oilers Afford Draisaitl?
The Oilers are currently projected to have about $20 million in cap space next season. This gives them some flexibility to sign Draisaitl to a long-term contract.
However, the Oilers also have a number of other players who need new contracts in the coming years, including Connor McDavid, Evan Bouchard, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. This could make it difficult for the Oilers to give Draisaitl the raise he is seeking.
Conclusion
Leon Draisaitl's upcoming contract extension is one of the most important storylines for the Edmonton Oilers. Draisaitl is a generational talent, and the Oilers will need to find a way to keep him in Edmonton for the long term.
However, the Oilers will need to be careful not to overpay Draisaitl. They need to make sure they have enough cap space to sign other key players and build a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup.
The Oilers have a tough decision to make, but it is one that will shape the future of the franchise.
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