The Edmonton Oilers have signed Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year contract extension worth $112 million, making him the highest-paid player in NHL history with a salary cap hit of $14 million. The deal will begin in the 2025-26 season and run through 2033. General manager Stan Bowman praised Draisaitl’s commitment to the team and the city of Edmonton, highlighting his desire to help bring a Stanley Cup title to the Oilers. Draisaitl, along with Connor McDavid, helped lead the team to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final last year.
Signing Draisaitl was a top priority for the Oilers this offseason, with Bowman taking over as GM in July after being reinstated by the league following a ban for his involvement in the Chicago Blackhawks sexual assault allegations. Draisaitl’s new contract nearly doubles his salary, surpassing Auston Matthews’ previous record-breaking cap hit. The 28-year-old forward has proven his worth with 850 points in 719 regular-season games since his NHL debut, as well as being one of the top producers in playoff history with 108 points in 74 games.
With Draisaitl’s contract settled, the Oilers can now focus on re-signing McDavid, the captain and face of the franchise. McDavid, the reigning playoff MVP, could become a free agent in 2026 and is eligible to sign a contract extension starting July 1. The Oilers are hopeful that locking up Draisaitl will help keep McDavid in Edmonton for the long term.
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