The Edmonton Oilers are in the midst of a closely contested second-round playoff series with the Vancouver Canucks. However, that hasn’t stopped some pundits from speculating about Leon Draisaitl’s future in Edmonton. Draisaitl, 28, is slated to become a UFA at the end of next season. He carries a cap hit of $8.5 million on his current deal and a modified no-trade clause. The Oilers can open contract extension talks with him on July 1. Considering Draisaitl’s rise to superstardom, his current contract was a steal for the Oilers. However, he’ll seek a substantial raise on his next deal befitting of his status among the league’s elite forwards. Some observers, however, suggest Draisaitl might be reluctant to re-sign with the Oilers if they fail to progress in their quest to win the Stanley Cup. On May 3, The Hockey News’ Caleb Kerney cited Georges Laraque telling Montreal’s 91.9 FM a well-placed source believed Draisaitl wouldn’t sign a contract extension if the Oilers failed to stage a deep playoff run. “He’d prefer to be a first-line center in Boston.” Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy cited Laraque clarifying his comments, saying that he mentioned the Bruins as a destination for Draisaitl because of their lack of centers. The Bruins could use a first-line center such as Draisaitl if he becomes available. However, Murphy is skeptical about their chances of landing him. Attempting to acquire the Oilers’ star via trade this summer or next season would cost the Bruins a high-end player and drain what’s left of their depleted prospect pipeline. Murphy also noted that signing him next summer would break the bank.
San Jose Hockey Now’s Sheng Peng noted that ESPN.com’s Greg Wyshynski also discussed Draisaitl’s future on Tuesday’s episode of Sportsnet’s “The Jeff Marek Show.” They mentioned hearing speculation suggesting Draisaitl might sign with the San Jose Sharks because team owner Hasso Plattner is a fellow German. Wyshynski added the Sharks are an emerging market with great young players, plus they can afford to pay him. No one besides the Draisaitl camp and Oilers management knows his intentions beyond his current contract. However, if he’s keen to play for a Cup contender, the rebuilding Sharks would be out of the running regardless of the nationality of their owner.
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