Currently, Leon Draisaitl is on the best value contract in the NHL with only $8.5M in annual salary. It's being reported now that on his next contract, Draisaitl will likely exceed Auston Matthews' $13.25M contract to become the highest paid player in the NHL. The Oilers know they have to pay Draisaitl to keep him around, and it will take some cap restructuring to make the money work.
In the past few weeks, Draisaitl had been connected to the Boston Bruins and San Jose Sharks for his free agent contract. The Bruins are a highly competitive team looking for an elite center for Pastrnak, and the Sharks will be an emerging threat for years to come with young talent and a German owner which could lure Draisaitl.
Interestingly enough, Frank Seravalli did hint at the fact that Draisaitl could potentially leave Edmonton if he fulfills his goal of winning the Stanley Cup with the core. He's got an enigmatic personality, and the insiders speculated he may want to forge his own legacy after a Cup win in Edmonton.
Whatever happens, from the time this playoff run ends, the questions will swirl around Draisaitl's future with the Oilers until a contract is signed. Hopefully for Edmonton, Draisaitl has some loyalty to the city and this team, and wishes to play his entire career for the Oilers. At the end of his career, he could be amongst the very best players in NHL history.
