McLellan: McDavid's deal gave Oilers 'a very tight wallet'

It's been 26 days since Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl became a restricted free agent and still he remains without a contract.

However, since then the Oilers locked up captain Connor McDavid to an eight-year, $100-million contract and as head coach Todd McLellan explains, the deal has eaten a lot of the team's cap space.

"Obviously with Connor's (contract), Leon's, and some of the players that are coming up, it's become a very tight wallet, if you will," McLellan said, according to NHL.com's Derek Van Diest. "I'm not talking about the dollars that are going out, but just about the cap space. Not only does (general manager) Peter (Chiarelli) have to manage the team that is going on the ice, he has to manage the team that's in the books as well, and that's not going to change for many years."

Despite the money predicament that appears to have dragged out negotiations with Draisaitl, McLellan remains confident he'll be back with the club next season and beyond.

"I'm confident we're going to see Leon in an (Oilers) uniform," McLellan said. "We want him to be there, he wants to be there, and it's just a matter of getting a few things done over the summer."

Draisaitl took a dramatic step forward last season, proving he should be a big part of the Oilers for years to come. The 21-year-old posted career highs in all offensive categories with 29 goals and 77 points, while playing in all 82 games. He was also the team's top producer in the playoffs finishing with six goals and 16 points in 13 games.