BREAKING NEWS: Leon Draisaitl Signs Historic Eight-Year, $112 Million Contract Extension With Oilers
In a landmark move that has sent shockwaves throughout the hockey world, the Edmonton Oilers have secured the services of superstar forward Leon Draisaitl for the long haul. The German-born phenom has signed an eight-year, $112 million contract extension with the franchise, making him the highest-paid player in NHL history. The deal carries an average annual value (AAV) of $14 million, surpassing the previous record held by Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon, who signed for $12.6 million AAV in 2022.
The monumental deal comes at a crucial time for the Oilers, who are aggressively pushing for a Stanley Cup with a core built around Draisaitl and fellow generational talent Connor McDavid. Draisaitl, 29, has consistently been one of the league’s most dominant forces since being drafted third overall in 2014. He has amassed multiple 100-point seasons, won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP in 2020, and remains one of the most lethal scorers and playmakers in the game.
“This is a proud moment for me and my family,” Draisaitl said during the announcement. “Edmonton has become home for me. I believe in this group, I believe in this city, and I want to finish what we’ve started here. The goal has always been to bring the Stanley Cup back to Edmonton.”
The Oilers, under general manager Ken Holland, have been working diligently behind the scenes to ensure that the team’s championship window remains wide open. Locking up Draisaitl well before his current contract’s expiration in 2026 provides stability and sends a clear message to fans and players alike: Edmonton is all-in.
Draisaitl’s extension could have ripple effects across the NHL landscape. With McDavid’s contract also set to expire in 2026, the pressure is now on the Oilers to offer their captain a similarly lucrative deal. The league’s top players will undoubtedly use Draisaitl’s new benchmark as leverage in their future negotiations, potentially escalating the top-end salary market in the years to come.
Draisaitl’s career stats speak volumes: over 850 points in just under 700 games, including playoff dominance where he has often elevated his game on the biggest stage. His on-ice vision, elite shot, and play-driving ability make him indispensable to Edmonton’s success.
With this historic extension, the Oilers are betting big — and confidently — that Leon Draisaitl will be at the heart of their championship aspirations for years to come.