Oilers pulled classy move with Leon Draisaitl contract and Johnny Gaudreau's passing

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Liam McCormick
September 3, 2024 (11:40)

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This morning was fantastic for Edmonton Oilers fans to see Leon Draisaitl re-signed to an eight year contract, but the deal was actually reached late last week.

According to a new report from NHL insider Andy Strickland, the Oilers had finalized the deal with Draisaitl earlier in the week. The team held off on leaking or announcing the deal out of respect for the Gaudreau brothers tragic passing.

It's a classy move by the Edmonton Oilers and the NHL media to hold off reporting on Draisaitl's contract to allow the hockey world to mourn Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. The two brothers were fatally struck by a drunk driver on the night of August 29th. No amount of time will fully heal the weight of the loss, but it's still good the Oilers waited a few days.

News of Draisaitl's record-setting contract extension has brought a great day to be an Oilers fan. Draisaitl will become the highest paid player in the league at $14M annually, and Connor McDavid will be following him shortly as the next highest paid player in the NHL. By all indications from reporters today, Draisaitl signing a long term deal is a sign that McDavid and Evan Bouchard will be right behind him.

With the core players locked up long term, the Edmonton Oilers will be competing for the Stanley Cup every season they stay in the league.