Leon Draisaitl isn’t ignoring the elephant in the room. Connor McDavid’s contract situation hovers over the Edmonton Oilers, and it will likely dominate the conversation all year. Still, Draisaitl knows it isn’t his call.
Can Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid’s Partnership Survive Contract Uncertainty?
Draisaitl has already locked in his future with an eight-year, $112 million extension signed last fall. McDavid is on the opposite track, skating into the last year of his eight-year, $100 million deal with unrestricted free agency waiting next summer. The contrast has fueled speculation, though Draisaitl has been careful not to fan the flames.
After an informal skate this week, he admitted he hopes McDavid stays in Edmonton “for as long as possible,” while pointing out the decision ultimately comes down to McDavid and his family.
“Of course, I want him here. I want to win with him,” Draisaitl said. “But at the end of the day, it’s his life and his family’s choice.”
For the Oilers, the absence of a new contract has stirred unease. McDavid became eligible to sign on July 1 but decided to wait, saying more than once that his focus is on the upcoming season rather than paperwork.
A Cloud Over a Contender
Together, McDavid and Draisaitl have carried Edmonton for nearly a decade. The two pushed the Oilers to consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, only to fall short both times against the Florida Panthers.
With most of the core returning, the team is again considered a contender, but the uncertainty surrounding McDavid’s future lingers in the background.
Draisaitl acknowledged there are “a lot of things at play” with a deal of this size. He noted McDavid enjoys the city and feels at home, but contracts at this level are rarely straightforward.
Inside the room, teammates are steering clear of the drama. Goaltender Stuart Skinner said players just want to support their captain, while Zach Hyman reminded fans there’s “no rush,” suggesting the focus should stay on the ice.
McDavid has made it clear that he wants to win the Stanley Cup, ideally with Edmonton. At 28, his trophy case is already overflowing with three Hart Trophies, five scoring titles, and a Conn Smythe but the championship he wants most still hasn’t come.
For Draisaitl, who begins the first season of his long-term deal, the hope is simple. He wants to keep chasing a Cup with the teammate he’s shared nearly his entire career with. “Hopefully something gets reported soon,” he said, sounding optimistic but also realistic.
As training camp gets underway, the Oilers are focusing on what they can control. McDavid’s choice, and its ripple effects across the franchise, will play out in its own time.
