NHL Rumors: Leon Draisaitl "Interested" In Eastern Contender If He Leaves Edmonton

Everything is rosy right now for the Edmonton Oilers after their first-round series win over the Los Angeles Kings. But looking ahead, superstar Leon Draisaitl has just one year left on his contract, and if he doesn't re-sign this summer, the rumors will start flying out of Edmonton. In fact, they already have.

As reported recently by former NHLer Georges Laraque on BPM Sports, 91.9 FM in Montreal, the Oilers superstar could want out if things don't play out well this spring in Edmonton, and he mentions a specific Eastern Contender that Draisaitl has his eye on.

Someone well placed within the Oilers organization said that if the Oilers don’t go deep in the playoffs, he doesn’t see Draisaitl re-signing at the end of his deal and that he’d prefer to be a first-line center in Boston.

Draisaitl to the Boston Bruins? The team is still trying to find a new identity for the future at center after the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci last summer, and they couldn't do much better than Draisaitl.

The former No. 3 overall pick in the draft, Draisaitl has been one of the top players in the NHL for the better part of a decade, with a Hart Trophy and an Art Ross already on his mantlepiece. He finished this season with 41 goals and 65 assists for 106 points — his fifth time in the last six years cracking the 100-point barrier.

He'd be entering his age-30 season if he becomes a free agent next summer, still young enough to earn himself another big contract. The Cologne, Germany native is coming off an eight-year, $8.5 million AAV pact after the 2024-25 season.

Would the Bruins be ready to pony up the massive dollars that would be required to sign him? Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now is skeptical, but you never know, as star players often find a way to get to where they want to be.

For now, the Oilers have a Stanley Cup playoff run to worry about, but they'll undoubtedly be thinking about Draisaitl's future as soon as their season comes to an end. And if it ends with Draisaitl, McDavid, Hyman and Co. hoisting a Stanley Cup, this all might be a moot point.