Leon Draisaitl's contract talks hit deadline

Oilers GM Stan Bowman and Draisaitl's camp have been talking throughout the Summer, understanding that the business side of the game will be put on hold once the season begins to let the superstar focus on the hockey.

Reports are going around 8-year deal with a $13.5 million AAV. Draisaitl and Bowman are set to meet in Edmonton this week to try and get the deal done, with a hard deadline of September 19th as that's when training camp begins.

Draisaitl, along with Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard, reportedly met with teammates on expiring contracts to discuss the possibility of taking hometown discounts to help build a long-term Stanley Cup contender in Oil Country.

With Darnell Nurse already at $9.25M AAV, if Bouchard ($12 million) and Mcdavid ($16 million) sign for what they're worth on the market, the Oilers would commit $54M to their core four, and be cap-strapped for several seasons like the Toronto Maple Leafs are now. So taking less money for more success is pivotal.

Currently earning $8.5 million, Draisaitl has proven his worth with five 100-point seasons and three 50+ goal seasons in the first seven seasons of his current pact. The 28 year-old has earned his big payday and is about to get his bag.

Source: Blades of Steel
Leon Draisaitl has given the Edmonton Oilers a deadline to sign new deal