Leon Draisaitl Signs Historic 8-Year, $112 Million Contract Extension with Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers have locked down their star centre, Leon Draisaitl, to an eight-year contract extension worth $112 million, a deal that makes him the highest-paid player in NHL history. The new contract, announced on Tuesday, begins with the 2025-26 season and runs through 2033. The deal has an average annual value (AAV) of $14 million, surpassing Auston Matthews' previous record of $13.25 million.

General Manager Stan Bowman, who was hired in late July, called the signing a “historic day” for the Oilers. He praised Draisaitl's commitment to the team, the city and the fans. “His desire to help bring a Stanley Cup title home to Edmonton is central to everything he does both on and off the ice,” Bowman said in a statement.

The Oilers' signing of Draisaitl is a significant move for the franchise, who just reached the Stanley Cup Final this past year with the German star leading the way. Draisaitl is one of the most productive players in the NHL and was the league's MVP in 2020. He’s put up 850 points in 719 regular-season games since making his NHL debut and is one of the top producers in playoff history with 108 points in 74 games.

With Draisaitl locked up, the Oilers can now turn their attention to re-signing their captain and face of the franchise, Connor McDavid. McDavid could become a free agent in the summer of 2026 and is eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1.

Draisaitl’s Impact on the Oilers

Draisaitl has been a cornerstone of the Oilers' resurgence in recent years. He has formed a dynamic duo with Connor McDavid, leading the Oilers to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 2006.

Draisaitl’s Career Highlights

Since being drafted third overall by the Oilers in 2014, Draisaitl has established himself as one of the most dominant offensive players in the NHL. He has been a consistent point producer, with six 100-point seasons to his name.

In 2019-20, he led the league in scoring with 110 points (43 goals, 67 assists) in 71 games before the COVID-19 pandemic halted the season. He won the Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in points, the Hart Trophy for the NHL's most valuable player, and the Ted Lindsay Award for the NHLPA's most outstanding player.

In 2022-23, he put up a career-best 128 points. He’s also a force in the playoffs, having tallied 108 points in 74 games. His 1.46 points per game in the playoffs rank fourth all time among players with 40-plus games in the postseason, behind Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, and McDavid.

The Impact on the Oilers’ Salary Cap

Draisaitl's new deal will have a significant impact on the Oilers’ salary cap, which was already a tight squeeze. The Oilers will have to make some tough decisions in order to stay under the cap and maintain a competitive roster.

Reactions to the Signing

The signing of Draisaitl was met with widespread approval from Oilers fans, analysts, and media members alike. Many praised the Oilers for securing their star player, while others expressed concern about the Oilers' tight salary cap situation.

Here are some of the reactions from Twitter:

The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn: “Leon Draisaitl, one of the best players in the world, is now the league’s highest paid player. A $900K overpay is more than fine for a player who has been one of the league’s best values over the last eight years.”
Spittin’ Chiclets commentator Ryan Whitney: “Leon Draisaitl ain’t going anywhere. What a morning in Oil Country. Elliotte reporting 8 years around 14 million per and this means Connor will be an Oiler for life as well. The parade in downtown Edmonton will be stuff of legends.”
Oilers fan Shauna @SLShockeyfan: “Today we dance!!!!”
Oilers fan Stan Gilbert @Snideguy: “Today is a great day.”
Hockey stats analyst JFresh: “Leon Draisaitl, extended 8x$14M by EDM, is an elite offensive forward whose combination of dominant passing skill and finishing touch makes him one of the most impactful players in hockey. A superb puck carrier with underrated speed and hands as well.”
The Cult of Hockey’s Kurt Leavins @KurtLeavins: “When Draisaitl signed his existing deal, I commented “finally, the Oilers are holding onto their best players” & was attacked by many for applauding “such a bad contract”. Where are they now? Edmonton once again proves it has become a magnet for elite players.”
Oilers fan Rob Farmer @robfarmeryeg: “Growing up in an era where all the top players left for more money this feels really good.”
Oilers fan Sumit Tripathi @Sumit_Tripathi_: “I would rather we slightly overpay Draisaitl than Broberg.”
Oilers fan Mathew Panchyshyn: “Imho, no discount was taken. No discount was taken when he signed for 8.5m, either. This is a very heavy contract for a player who’s going to be mid-30s when it expires. For a top 5 NHL player, I’d say that’s probably fair.”
Oilers fan Rob Soria @Oil_Drop: “Completely fine with this and l know some don’t want to hear it but even at this number, Draisaitl left money on the table. For me, anything under $14M always seemed farfetched.”
Oilers fan Shaedon @Shae_Nuge93: “Leon Draisaitl is an Oiler for life. Where is everyone saying Leon wouldn’t sign here 🤣”
Daily Faceoff writer Steven Ellis: “So, what is Connor McDavid going to get on his next deal?”
Oilers fan RG3 @rascalgas: “How much do you think Draisaitl would have received if he hit the open market next year as a free agent?… Armchair GMs always think they can do better. It’s their nature.”
Hall of Fame hockey writer Terry Jones: “A lot of fans got their shorts in a knot worrying, but signing of Leon Draisaitl was a lock. Eight-year extension beginning in 2025-26 with an average annual value of $14 million. Connor McDavid also a lock at this time next year. Dynamic Duo for the duration. Edmonton blessed.”
The Athletic’s Daniel Nugent-Bowman: “The sticker shock is real; Draisaitl will be the highest paid player in the NHL (until McDavid signs). However, the deal extends the Oilers’ contention window a bit longer.”
Edmonton Journal writer Jim Matheson @jimmathesonnhl: “With Draisaitl extension at AAV of $14m for eight years fans can breathe easy. He is all in for Stanley Cup run. Katz was always going to buck up for one of top 10 players in world…First piece of Oiler business with Draisaitl extension. Next up Bouchard who has 49 points in his last 37 playoff games. He might get $10m AAV in his extension.”
ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski: “This Draisaitl contract has deprived us of so many months of “Bruins are keeping 1C open for Leon” speculation and fans tracking the Sharks owner’s private plane. 😔”
Hockey stats analyst Corey Sznajder: “Might be the best passer in the history of the dataset when you combine everything together. Crosby might have a leg up in him from the 2016-19 years though…I don’t know how many three-time 50 goal scorers are better passers than they are shooters. Drai is while looking like he’s intentionally playing with the wrong-handed stick with an untaped canoe paddle as a blade.”
Oilers fan Petroleros @YEGBurrito: “Oh today is going to be joyous. Just watching Oilers haters come up with different angles being forced to move on from “Leon can’t wait to leave Edmonton””
Cult of Hockey special correspondent Ira Copper: “That’s high end 4-5 year term money for an 8-year term that has three post 35 years… That is not a discount at all.”
Hockey stats analyst Micah Blake McCurdy @IneffectiveMath: “Leon Draisaitl (signed forever for infinity dollars, EDM) is extraordinary at every offensive facet of the game, average at everything else. An extremely pure sort of hockey player.”
World Hockey Report @worldhockeyrpt: “You’re a moron if you think $14M is too high for Draisaitl”
Las Vegas hockey writer Chris Gawlik: “Damn’d if you do, damn’d if you don’t”
TSN’s Ryan Rishaug: “To me, this deal signifies a willingness by Draisaitl to do a reasonable deal, certainly not maxing out what would have been out there in free agency. A massive piece locked in for 8 years, and have to think this helps considerably with the McDavid extension this time next summer.”
Hockey insider Pierre LeBrun: “Draisaitl contract front-loaded, includes full no-move clause throughout. Both sides agreed to the bigger parts of this deal late last week. Some finishing touches over the weekend. Draisaitl made sure to get a lot of information this summer en route to this massive decision. Wants to win in Edmonton.”
Hockey scout Dan Tencer: “This was an easy one. As a fan, thrilled to see this. A bona fide Hall of Fame level player signing multiple extensions to finish his career in Edmonton. That’s rare and wonderful.”
Oilers fan Denny Sawchuk @Denny_Sawchuk: “Maple Laugh fans will take this signing as an indication that McDavid will not sign back in Edmonton when it is obviously the exact opposite.”
Oilers fan Shaedon @Shae_Nuge93: “Leon Draisaitl is an Oiler for life. Where is everyone saying Leon wouldn’t sign here 🤣”

The Oilers' commitment to Draisaitl is a clear sign that they believe they can compete for the Stanley Cup in the coming years. Draisaitl’s desire to win in Edmonton suggests that the Oilers’ chances of winning a Stanley Cup in the next few years are strong.

What’s Next for the Oilers?

The next big task for the Oilers is to re-sign McDavid, which will likely be an even bigger challenge. McDavid is already one of the highest-paid players in the NHL, and he will likely be looking for a significant raise on his current contract. The Oilers will have to be creative in order to keep both of their superstars under the cap.

With a commitment to Draisaitl and McDavid for the next several years, the Oilers’ fans are eager for the next chapter in the team's storied history. The Oilers are looking to make a return to the top of the NHL, and these two stars are the key to achieving that goal.