Secret meeting held by Edmonton Oilers' players to make a deal with each other

A recent update from the 2 Mutts Hockey Podcast, known for its accurate takes on Oilers news, shares that the team's core players are stepping up to take pay cuts on their contracts. The goal? To keep the team competitive while still ensuring the players get compensated fairly.

Some seasoned depth players like Adam Henrique, Mattias Janmark, Connor Brown, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have turned down better offers from other teams to stick around with the Oilers, prioritizing their shot at winning. If more players follow in their footsteps, the team could maintain its chemistry and build the strongest roster we've ever seen in the Connor McDavid era. This commitment by the star players is a good sign, showing that they understand how crucial roster depth is in today's NHL and are willing to make sacrifices for consistent success.

The next big contract decision involves superstar Leon Draisaitl, who's set to become an unrestricted free agent after next season. NHL insider Frank Seravalli says the Oilers want to lock in a deal before training camp, but talks might be moving slower than expected. Draisaitl has been a bargain so far, regularly scoring over 100 points with just an $8 million yearly cap hit. Asking him to take another discount is a big ask, but every dollar matters under the cap. According to the 2 Mutts Podcast, Draisaitl seems ready to accept a discount and sign an eight-year deal worth $13.5 million per season. He can easily get $15 million on another team.

Once Leon Draisaitl's deal is sorted out, the Oilers will need to focus on extending contracts for Evan Bouchard, Stuart Skinner, and Connor McDavid. Keeping this core group together won't be cheap, and every dollar will be vital to staying under the cap. With several players likely to earn close to $10 million or more, the team will be hoping for a salary cap increase in the coming seasons to help manage these financial hurdles, which is expected to happen.

Source: Oilers Daily
Edmonton Oilers stars held meeting after the season to make a pact