Multiple insiders report Leon Draisaitl wants to leave Edmonton Oilers

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Ryan Hall
May 1, 2024 (9:18 PM)

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George Laraque reports Draisaitl interested to play with Bruins
Earlier today it was reported by BPM sports, 91.9 FM in Montreal that former Oilers enforcer George LaRocque stated that Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl appears to be interested in playing for the Boston Bruins. The reason being that if an extension cannot be completed, he would want to play for Beantown.

«Someone well placed within the Oilers organization said that if the Oilers don't go deep in the playoffs, he doesn't see Draisaitl re-signing at the end of his deal and that he'd prefer to be a first-line center in Boston,» the former Oilers enforcer said.

This is not the first time this rumor has surfaced over the past eight months as another insider who happens to be Oilers reporter Jim Matheson also claimed that Draisaitl may be heading to the northeastern city.

This would certainly be a devastating blow to the Oilers if this were to happen as he is one of the key members of the team. He has been one of the longest members being drafted in 2014.

There are several factors that will come into play. Starting with who will be the next general manager of the team as there's a strong possibility that Ken Holland will not be there next year. With new CEO Jeff Jackson taking over the team, it's likely he will put in someone he prefers if Holland decides to retire.

Though inconceivable, there is a possibility a new general manager may want to go a different direction and a player like Draisaitl could fetch quite a return to restock the cupboard and potentially add pieces they're missing.

Draisaitl currently has one year left on his deal which holds a cap hit of 8.5 million AAV. The Oilers will now be allowed to sign him to a long-term deal after the playoffs are complete. With the odds of his number being north of 12 million per season and several other Oilers including Connor McDavid coming up for contract it may be quite the juggle to fit everybody under the salary cap.

For now, the Oilers focuses strictly on the playoffs and trying to win the Stanley Cup and there is time for a deal to be crafted between management and Draisaitl.

However it's becoming clear the Bruins have their eyes on him and he has his eyes on them as a lack of a top centre with Patrice Bergeron entering his second year of retirement, a player like Draisaitl would certainly fit the bill.