Multiple insiders note setbacks on recent reports of Draisaitl extension

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Noel Drolet
July 31, 2024 (7:36 PM)

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Draisaitl extension talks yet to start despite multiple accounts of extension progression.

With the Oilers' offseason mostly over ahead of next season, it's time for new GM Stan Bowman to look towards progressing extensions for the 2025-26 season. The biggest of them is obviously Leon Draisaitl, who has been talked about a lot already. Ryan Rishaug set out to set things straight and shut down any rumours of previous extension talks.

Rishaug says that negotiations haven't actually started, denying any prior assertions that the two sides were close to an agreement. This may seem somewhat alarming, although there's no reason to worry about Draisaitl's future in Edmonton.

Draisaitl's next extension is still priority number one for the Oilers, as they'd be stupid to let him walk for nothing. Draisaitl's agent has been very optimistic about an extension being done and it seems like he'll be sticking around for a while.

Realistically, the Oilers and Bowman are most likely to accept almost any offer Draisaitl's camp puts out there. Draisaitl and McDavid are impossible to imagine on any other team and have been the backbone of the Oilers since McDavid entered the league.

Draisaitl's next extension is set to be a massive one at 8 years, at anywhere from 13.25-14M. It'll be interesting to see if Draisaitl is willing to take a pay cut to stay with the team, as money has been mismanaged around him his entire career, preventing them from winning a Stanley Cup. His next contract will show how willing he is to sacrifice money for the team, but the Oilers will most likely sign him to any number that he asks for.