The Edmonton Oilers have signed star ahead Leon Draisaitl to a historic contract, the crew introduced on Tuesday. Drasaitl and the Oilers have agreed to an eight-year contract extension price a complete of $112 million.

Draisaitl’s contract, which begins within the 2025-26 season, carries a mean annual worth of $14 million. That is the very best quantity in NHL historical past, beating Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews’ earlier excessive of $13.25 million.

Connor McDavid, the opposite half of the dynamic duo in Edmonton, carries a $12.5 million cap hit. It is truthful to count on McDavid to prime Draisaitl’s quantity when his contract is up after the 2025-26 season.

There needs to be no query about whether or not Draisaitl is price this mega contract as a result of he has constantly confirmed himself to be an elite offensive weapon since breaking out in 2015-16. The previous No. 3 general decide has actually elevated his sport during the last six seasons as nicely.

For the reason that 2018-19 season, right here is the place Draisaitl ranks at or close to the highest of the league in each offensive class.

It needs to be famous that Draisaitl’s 124 energy play targets in that span are 40 greater than the subsequent closest participant, Steven Stamkos. Draisaitl’s capability to plant himself alongside the objective line and rip pinpoint correct one-timers from dangerous angles have made him right into a drive of nature on the person benefit.

Now, Draisaitl and the Oilers will be capable of flip their focus towards profitable a Stanley Cup after coming painfully shut in 2023-24. Drasaitl contributed 10 targets and 21 assists all through Edmonton’s run, however the crew fell to the Florida Panthers in Recreation 7 of the Stanley Cup Last.

Since then, the Oilers have made notable additions like Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson as they gear as much as take one other gigantic swing, and Draisaitl will likely be main the way in which for the foreseeable future.