Over the past several years in the Connor McDavid era, it has become a regular occurrence for both McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to build their point totals, accrue accolades, and set records. During tonight's game against the Nashville Predators, Draisaitl established a new franchise record for power-play goals, which now stands at 127.
With the Oilers having had numerous opportunities to draft exceptional players in the top 5 over the past several years, Draisaitl has been one of their gems. Standing at 6 feet two inches and weighing 209 pounds, he was drafted in the first round, third overall, in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Leon has cemented his status as an elite player in the league and one of the cornerstones of the Oilers' roster.
It is widely expected that he will have another outstanding season, as he will become eligible to negotiate his next contract after this season concludes. In his 10th season with the Oilers, he has played 640 games, scoring 308 goals with 439 assists for a total of 747 points.
Currently, he carries an $8.5 million cap hit, which extends for one more season until 2024-2025. Speculation has already started regarding the figure he will be seeking, and as NHL superstars continue to drive salary expectations higher, coupled with the NHL salary cap set to see a significant increase in the last three or four years, Draisaitl is poised for a substantial payday.
