BREAKING NEWS: Leon Draisaitl Signs Historic Eight-Year, $112 Million Contract Extension with Edmonton Oilers
April 17, 2025 – Edmonton, Alberta
In a monumental move that has sent shockwaves through the NHL, the Edmonton Oilers have officially locked in superstar forward Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year, $112 million contract extension. With an average annual salary of $14 million, the deal makes Draisaitl the highest-paid player in NHL history, surpassing previous salary benchmarks and reaffirming his status as one of the league’s most elite talents.
Draisaitl, 29, has been the cornerstone of the Oilers’ offense for several seasons and continues to dominate the league alongside teammate and captain Connor McDavid. This contract extension comes after months of speculation about Draisaitl’s future, with rumors swirling about potential free agency or trade scenarios. The Oilers’ front office put those doubts to rest, ensuring that one of the league’s most dynamic players remains in Edmonton through the 2032–33 season.
“We’re thrilled to have Leon locked in long term,” Oilers general manager Ken Holland said in a press conference this morning. “He’s a generational player, a leader, and a competitor. This is a commitment to our core and to building a Stanley Cup-caliber team around it.”
Draisaitl is coming off another stellar campaign in 2023–24, where he recorded 106 points (44 goals, 62 assists) in 79 games. His combination of size, vision, and scoring ability has made him a nightmare for opposing defenses and a perennial Hart Trophy contender. Since being drafted third overall in 2014, Draisaitl has developed into one of the most dominant forwards in the league, boasting a career total of over 800 points and numerous accolades, including the 2020 Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy.
At the press conference, Draisaitl expressed both gratitude and determination.
“Edmonton is home,” he said. “This city and these fans have supported me since day one. I want to bring a Cup to this city more than anything. That’s my goal, and I believe we can do it.”
The contract extension not only secures Draisaitl’s future in Edmonton but also sends a message to the rest of the league: the Oilers are all-in on winning. With McDavid signed through 2026 and Draisaitl now extended, the team has a firm foundation to build upon.
Fans took to social media in celebration, with many praising the Oilers’ commitment to retaining their top stars. Some, however, raised concerns about salary cap implications and how the deal might affect the team’s ability to fill out its roster in the coming years.
Despite the mixed financial reactions, there is no denying the significance of this signing. The Oilers are positioning themselves for a serious Stanley Cup push — and they’re doing it with one of the most lethal duos in hockey history leading the charge.
With the playoffs approaching, the timing of the announcement adds another layer of intensity to an already high-stakes season. Edmonton now moves forward with clarity, confidence, and one of the league’s top superstars fully committed to chasing glory in blue and orange.