Stark honesty from Leon Draisaitl on future in Edmonton

Leon Draisaitl and captain Connor McDavid kicked off the exit interviews on Wednesday in Edmonton, and while the disappointment of losing the Stanley Cup to the Florida Panthers in seven games was still palpable, the reaction to Draisaitl’s comment on a potential contract extension with the Oilers was also unsatisfactory.

Draisaitl is entering the final season of his contract and will be eligible for an extension as soon as Monday. The Oilers will probably want to know what the superstar center wants to do as they don’t want to risk letting him walk to free agency next summer.

When asked about contract negotiations however, Draisaitl did not reassure anyone with his answer:

“I’m going to give you the most boring answer here. I’m obviously going to sit down with my agents here and talk to the Oilers and see what their plan is, see what our plan is, and go from there.”

It seems obvious to most Oilers’ fans that Edmonton needs to re-sign him. Draisaitl will be looking at a minimum of $12.5 million on average and probably $13 million for his next cap hit.

But Draisaitl also has his say on what happens next, including the idea of a blockbuster trade, should Edmonton look into that possibility. The German forward holds a 10-team trade list and, for all intents and purposes, holds control on where he’d play next.

Fortunately, he did add: “It’s something going to take a little bit of time what I want, what the Oilers want and what everyone wants and go from there,” said Draisaitl. “Edmonton has the only chance to sign me, so I guess they are first. I’ll leave it at that. Obviously I love being an Oiler more than anything.”

Since being drafted third overall by Edmonton in 2014, Draisaitl has 347 goals and 850 points in 719 career NHL games, and has also won the Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award.

The Oilers also have to focus on other free agency matters as they have 10 unrestricted free agents this summer, including Warren Foegele and Adam Henrique , and two restricted free agents in Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg.