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Connor McDavid is holding up Leon Draisaitl’s contract extension!
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Connor McDavid is holding up Leon Draisaitl’s contract extension!

Reporter exposes why we still don’t have a Draisaitl extension in Edmonton.

Chris Gosselin

Star forward Leon Draisaitl is in control as he enters contract negotiations with the Edmonton Oilers this summer. He enters the last year of his current deal, on an $8.5-million annual salary, and is likely to command a substantial increase, potentially in the range of $13.5 million to $14.5 million per year. At this time, some say it is not concerning to see that the star forward has not put pen to paper on an extension, though TSN’s Bryan Hayes believes there is one factor that not a lot of people has considered that could be holding up the negotiations and signing.

Hayes believes the close friend and captain Connor McDavid plays a part in this, as his wedding with Lauren Kyle takes place later this month and Draisaitl could be looking to stay away from the business to enjoy the event with his teammate.

“And I’m gonna go TMZ a little bit on you here, Jay. Connor McDavid is getting married later in the month. You know big story here in Southern Ontario, in Toronto, up in Muskoka. I’m sure it’s the same thing out in Edmonton. People are aware McDavid’s getting married.

“And this is all going to be linked, I think Draisaitl’s future to Connor McDavid. And why I bring McDavid’s marriage up is because obviously he’s preoccupied, but at some point, I’m sure Draisaitl and McDavid are going to have a chat and try to work this out.

“What does the future look like, right? Because I think they’re mostly tied at the hip. It feels like Draisaitl’s gonna be there long-term. McDavid’s gonna be there long term and vice versa. And I know people are really anxious about that in Edmonton but it does feel like that could be the case here.”

Earlier this week, Draisaitl’s agent Jiri Poner revealed how the ball was in Edmonton’s court, even sounding like he was giving the team an ultimatum to get a contract agreement done before the end of August.

I guess Draisaitl and McDavid will get to have a chat before then, and stop holding up this pending extension so fans can be relieved in Edmonton.