Speculation that Leon Draisaitl is leaving the Oilers for the Bruins is rejected.
An interesting notion arose earlier this week that Leon Draisaitl will not re-sign with the Oilers, but the purported source has denied this.
The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Kings for the third straight season on Wednesday night, 4-3 at Rogers Place. Leon Draisaitl, as expected, played a key role in the game, scoring twice.
Draisaitl is second in the NHL playoffs overall with 10 points, trailing only teammate and overall leader Connor McDavid by one. To say that the German will be crucial to the Oilers’ Stanley Cup chances this season is an understatement.
However, as Draisaitl was helping the Oilers advance, there was an especially intriguing rumour about his future in Edmonton. More specifically, he could be leaving at the end of his current contract, which expires at the end of next season, and moving to Boston.
According to Trade NHL Talk’s Jim Parsons, Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now referenced potential statements made by former NHL player George Laraque during an appearance on BPM Sports 91.9 FM in Montreal. Murphy alleges Laraque stated that Draisaitl is interested in playing for the Bruins if he does not agree to a contract extension with the Oilers.
Part of the perceived appeal of Draisaitl joining the Bruins is that he will be their first-line centre. Given McDavid’s presence, he is understandably ‘only’ on the second line in Edmonton.
Laraque disputes this speculation.
However, things took an interesting turn when Laraque resorted to social media to clarify that the speculation was made up. In other words, it appears that the former Oiler and Montreal Canadien enforcer is referring to Murphy distorting or twisting what he said during his appearance on BPM Sports 91.9 FM.
So, what do we make of it all? The fact for Oilers fans is that conjecture like this will only rise, as we draw closer to the expiration of Draisaitl’s current deal without an extension.
The 2020 Hart Memorial Trophy winner’s current contract has an annual cap hit of $8.5 million, and he will surely want an increase to stay in Edmonton. In principle, the Oilers would prefer to re-sign him before his current contract expires, but it is no secret that they have struggled with their salary cap recently and are expected to continue doing so into next season.
Regarding Laraque specifically, and what he may or may not have said, it is likely that Draisaitl is simply keeping his options open, as any professional athlete should do. Our best assumption is that, while he would prefer to stay in Edmonton for the long term, he sees the Bruins as a viable second choice that is frequently in contention. (We are talking about a squad that has only missed the playoffs seven times since 1967.)
There should be some solace in knowing that the Oilers will do everything they can to re-sign the 2020 Art Ross Trophy winner to an extension. After all, we’re talking about a guy who consistently ranks in the top five-10 in the NHL and, as of Thursday morning, is tied with McDavid for the second-highest average points per game in NHL postseason history, at 1.611.
Overall, while we won’t go so far as to say the conjecture is pointless, there is no reason for Oilers supporters to fear, at least not yet. For the time being, it’s best to focus on Draisaitl and the Oilers’ quest to win their first Stanley Cup since 1990; there will be plenty of time in the future to evaluate any rumours surrounding the five-time All-Star.
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