Oilers sign Draisaitl to 8-year, $112M extension
Leon Draisaitl isn't going anywhere.
The Edmonton Oilers signed the superstar center to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of $14 million, the team announced Tuesday.
The contract begins in 2025-26. Draisaitl is entering the final year of his previous deal, which paid him $8.5 million annually, and he could've hit unrestricted free agency in 2025.
Draisaitl's AAV is the NHL's highest, surpassing Auston Matthews' $13.25-million mark. The total money is the second-most in league history behind the $124 million Alex Ovechkin received on his 13-year deal in 2008. Eight years is now the maximum contract length in the NHL.
The 28-year-old's new contract also contains a full no-movement clause for its entirety, per TSN's Pierre LeBrun.
"This is a historic day for the Edmonton Oilers," executive vice president of hockey operations and general manager Stan Bowman said. "Leon's commitment to our team, our city, and Oilers fans everywhere cannot be overstated. His desire to help bring a Stanley Cup title home to Edmonton is central to everything he does both on and off the ice."
Draisaitl recorded his fifth career 100-point season in 2023-24, notching 41 goals and 65 assists in 81 games. He also put together a stellar postseason, adding 31 points in 25 playoff games during Edmonton's run to the Stanley Cup Final.
The German sensation won the Hart Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, and the Art Ross Trophy in 2020 when he posted a league-leading 110 points in 71 games. He finished in the top 10 in Hart Trophy voting in each of the following three seasons.
Since Draisaitl's breakout sophomore year in 2015-16, he ranks second in the NHL in points behind teammate Connor McDavid and third in goals behind Ovechkin and Matthews.
Draisaitl has averaged 97 points per 82 games in his 10-year career. He's also registered 108 points in 74 career playoff games.
The Oilers drafted Draisaitl third overall in 2014.
Draisaitl's contract is the first in what could be a string of big extensions for the Oilers. Stalwart defenseman Evan Bouchard will be a restricted free agent in 2025 and can sign a new deal anytime. McDavid is scheduled to hit free agency in 2026 and is eligible to sign an extension July 1, 2025.