Oilers provide an update on contract talks with Leon Draisaitl ... sort of

Arguably the biggest storyline surrounding the Edmonton Oilers this offseason, is the future of Leon Draisaitl with the organisation. With less than one year remaining before his current deal expires, the need to agree a contract extension has become increasingly important.

As such, it should come as no surprise that Oilers new general manager Stan Bowman would be asked about Draisaitl, at every available opportunity. This included on Monday, at the 2024 Gretzky Hlinka Cup at Rogers Place.

In this respect, Bowman did provide an update ... sort of. As per Derek Van Deist of nhl.com, he said: "I had a good conversation (with Draisaitl’s agent Mike Liut) and we’re starting things off and the timing on that will be what it will be. I don’t have an update of where it’s going to be or the timing on that, but there is nothing negative to report, certainly."

What to make of Bowman's comments?

Of course it's up to fans and media alike, to interpret Bowman's comments however they wish to. From our perspective though it's much ado about nothing, with nothing clearer emerging from what the controversial general manager had to say.

If nothing else, it's at least good that the two sides are talking, especially given recent comments from another one of Draisaitl's agent's, Jiri Poner. In a conversation with German hockey media outletEishockey NEWS at the beginning of last month, Poner said: "We have our ideas, but the ball is in Edmonton's court. There's no rush yet, but either it happens quickly, i.e by the end of August, or it doesn't work out at all."

There has been plenty of speculation about the kind of deal Draisaitl is looking for. One thing we do feel pretty confident about, is that any contract with the Oilers is going to be the same as his current one, i.e. for eight years.

All about the money!

What isn't quite as clear, is how much the average annual value will be for the 2020 Hart Memorial Trophy winner. The thinking is that he will get at least $12 million per season, but potentially up to as much as $14.5 million.

This is of course easier said that done, when considering the financial restrictions of the annual salary cap. Then you combine this with the Oilers needing to find even more money just a season later, for a certain Connor McDavid.

Bowman at least appreciates just how important it is to get Draisaitl re-signed, otherwise he will hear no end of criticism, especially with so many people looking for any excuse to criticise him. He said: "Leon is a super-talented player, a huge part of what we’re doing, and he has been and will be for some time and that hasn’t changed at all. I think it’s really hard to find stars in the NHL, so when you have them, the goal is to keep them."

Overall, the general sentiment is that the Oilers and Draisaitl will come to an agreement, to keep him in Edmonton for pretty much the remainder of his playing career. At the same time however, we do appreciate that there is going to be certain degree of nervousness on the part of the team's fans, until the five-time NHL All-Star actually puts pen to paper on a new deal.

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