Oilers' Leon Draisaitl Issues Deadline To Finalize Extension: Report

NHL superstar and upcoming unrestricted free agent Leon Draisaitl has set a firm deadline for the Edmonton Oilers to finalize his contract extension, according to the 2 Mutts Hockey Podcast .

The Oilers forward, who is entering the final season of his eight-year, $68 million contract with the Canadian franchise, has informed the team that he will not engage in contract negotiations once the 2024–25 NHL season begins.

In other words, the Oilers have less than a month to work something out and sign Draisaitl to an extension, with September 19 being the deadline handed out by the German star.

"Leon Draisaitl is scheduled to be in Edmonton within the next couple of days," the account posted on X. "This was a week that was very important to get this done. Talks will pick up as him & Stan Bowman will meet in person.

"If there is no deal to be signed before September 19th, Leon won’t negotiate during the season. The goal is to get this done before that date as Leon doesn’t want this to be a problem or a distraction going into training camp."

According to the aforementioned report, Draisaitl is scheduled to arrive in Edmonton within the next few days as he gears up for the preseason in September leading up to puck-drop in October for the start of the 2024-25 regular season.

The belief is that Draisaitl will meet in person with Oilers general manager Stan Bowman to intensify talks regarding his contract extension before the September 19 deadline. The upcoming week is seen as crucial for both sides, with the Oilers aiming to lock down one of the league’s top players before the self-imposed deadline.

The podcast also speculated on the terms of the potential extension, suggesting that Draisaitl could be looking at an eight-year deal worth $13.5 million per season.

If agreed upon, this contract would make Draisaitl the highest-paid player in NHL history on an annual basis, surpassing Auston Matthews' $13.25 million per year.

Related: Oilers $20 Million Forward Set to Miss Months Entering 2025 Season