NHL insider questions Leon Draisaitl's intent to stay with Oilers, names German-owned team as top spot

NHL analyst Jimmy Howard raised doubts about Leon Draisaitl's commitment to the Oilers and suggested a German-owned team as a potential landing spot. Speaking on the "Andy and Strickland Podcast," Howard mentioned the lack of negotiations between the Oilers and Draisaitl. He questioned Draisaitl's desire to stay in Edmonton, emphasizing his ambition to win the Stanley Cup.

"There have been zero numbers passed back and forth between the Edmonton Oilers who just signed or hired a new general manager, not that they could have negotiated beforehand. And Leon Draisaitl, I don't know if Draisaitl wants to stay in Edmonton. You know what I'm saying, like, This guy wants to win a Stanley Cup."

Howard pointed out the rarity of players winning the Cup with their original draft team and hinted at Draisaitl possibly remaining in Edmonton alongside Connor McDavid.

"How many guys truly win a Stanley Cup with the same team? They were originally drafted by, and he may very well reside in Edmonton. When it's all said and done, I hope he and McDavid may resign at Edmonton."

The analyst refrained from making any definitive predictions about their future. However, Howard said that there's a rumor circulating about the San Jose Sharks, reportedly a lucrative offer to Draisaitl due to the German ownership.

"I’m not gonna sit here and say that I'm predicting they're going to resign. Yeah. All right. Good because I want them I will say one team that people just point towards a rumor that's out there about Draisaitl, and I think I said this before in the podcast is the San Jose Sharks who have an owner who's from Germany, and using that connection that they're going to throw a ton of money out and probably on Draisaitl.."

Oilers GM addresses Leon Draisaitl's contract extension

Leon Draisaitl is entering the final year of his, $68 million contract with the Oilers. He will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2024–25 season.

During the 2024 Gretzky Hlinka Cup, Oilers GM Stan Bowman talked about Draisaitl's contract extension and mentioned having a positive chat with his representative, Mike Liut.

He said:

“I had a good conversation (with Draisaitl’s agent Mike Liut) and we’re starting things off and the timing on that will be what it will be,” Bowman said. “I don’t have an update of where it’s going to be or the timing on that, but there is nothing negative to report, certainly."

The final number and length of Leon Draisaitl's contract still remain uncertain.