After filling their GM position this month, the Edmonton Oilers will shift their focus to Leon Draisaitl's contract situation. "Oilersnation" podcast host Tyler Yaremchuk made a bold prediction regarding Draisaitl's contract negotiations, suggesting that a significant deal could be on the horizon.
The 28-year-old German forward approaches the final year of his $68 million deal, which carries an average annual value of $8.5 million.
According to reports, Draisaitl is keen on staying with the Oilers and is seeking to secure a lengthy seven- to eight-year contract extension with the team.
Yaremchuk suggested that Draisaitl could sign a contract worth $13.5-13.8 million annually for eight years, which would amount to $108-110 million.
"My answer is any day. We have been hearing report after report after report. I think it's trending toward being like a poorly kept secret that it's an eight-year $13.5 to $13.8 million contract extension," said Yaremchuk.
"You want good PR. It worked the first time with Connor; if you do it again, remember it was McDavid's $12.8m—McDavid wanted to leave $300,000 on the table. It's $12.5m, and everyone was like, wow, what a winner. They'll do it again," he continued.
Yaremchuk acknowledged the variance in reports, suggesting that the final figure could even settle around $13.25 million.
"We'll hear reports. I think this is my official Leon Draisaitl prediction. We'll continue to hear reports over the next two weeks. Yeah, it's eight years; it's definitely eight years. It's $13.5 to $13.8 million. Different reports will say different stuff, and then it will come in at like $13.25 million," he added.
Top insider speculates Leon Draisaitl's term in new contract
As reported by Edmonton Journal's David Staples, insider Bob Stauffer had a conversation with Draisaitl's agents and suggested that an eight-year deal is the most probable outcome.
"It’s going to be a seven or eight-year deal,” Stauffer said on 'Oilers Now'. “It’s probably going to be an eight-year deal realistically.
"The reality is that for the Edmonton Oilers organization, for the success of the Edmonton Oilers, the two biggest things they need to do in the next two years is get extensions done with Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid."
It remains to be seen how the situation regarding Draisaitl's contract extension with the Oilers unfolds in the coming days or weeks.
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