The Edmonton Oilers recently locked up one of their cornerstone players, Leon Draisaitl, with an eight-year, $112 million contract extension. This deal cements Draisaitl’s future in Edmonton and raises questions about how such contracts might influence future NHL negotiations.
In the video below, Frank Seravalli from Daily Faceoff joined Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert on The FAN Pregame to discuss the intricacies of Draisaitl’s extension and its potential ripple effects across the league.
The Structure and Timing of Draisaitl’s Contract
Seravalli opened the conversation by shedding light on the process behind Draisaitl’s contract. While no significant “fact-finding mission” was involved, the Oilers and Draisaitl’s camp took two months to finalize the deal. For Draisaitl, the decision wasn’t just about locking in the dollars—it was about understanding the Oilers’ potential to win the Stanley Cup. Coming off a season where the Oilers reached Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, Seravalli believes that Draisaitl knew that Edmonton was on the cusp of greatness. This context and a lucrative offer made it an easy decision for the German star.
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However, what stands out about this deal isn’t just the $112 million total but the contract’s structure itself. A staggering $104 million of that sum is guaranteed through signing bonuses, making the contract one of the most financially secure deals in NHL history. Seravalli noted that the focus of the negotiations likely revolved around this structure, as the Oilers sought to spread out their financial commitments cap-efficiently while still rewarding Draisaitl handsomely.
Will Future NHL Contracts Shift Toward Deferred Money?
Perhaps the most interesting part of the conversation came toward the end. Seravalli then shifted his analysis to the broader implications of Draisaitl’s deal, particularly regarding deferred money in NHL contracts. This concept was recently highlighted in Seth Jarvis‘ unique contract, which included deferred salary—a strategy not commonly used in the NHL but one that Seravalli believes could gain traction.
Deferred money allows players to…
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