Insider: Oilers & Leon Draisaitl "A Little Farther Apart" Than Originally Thought

Leon Draisaitl contract negotiations continue with the Edmonton Oilers, as the superstar and the team are reportedly headed to a place where Draisaitl will wind up as the highest-paid player in the NHL for the 2025-26 season, surpassing the Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews's $13.25 million AAV that kicks in this coming year.

NHL Insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff talked with Brenden Escott and Cam Moon on Oilers Now this week, and is frankly, surprised it hasn't gotten done yet.

"I think it's been a bit slow going, to be honest. I fully expected that they would have something done by now. I'm definitely a little surprised that it's gone on this long.

“On a money basis, AAV, I think these two sides are a little bit further apart than I envisioned,” said Servalli.

But before Oilers fans freak out too much, he also said “It’s unfair to categorize it as hitting a snag.”

On Draisaitl remaining unsigned, Seravalli told me:

"It's unfair to categorize it as hitting a snag."

"On a money basis, AAV, I think these two sides are a little further apart than I envisioned."@OilersNow | #Oilers
— Brenden Escott (@BrendenEscott) August 27, 2024

Seravalli called Draisaitl, in his opinion, "the second-best player on planet Earth," and implored the two sides to get a contract signed ASAP.

"I don't really understand the notion of quibbling over every last dollar—both ways, for player and team.

"Find a way to put your heads together and get this done and get it done before training camp, so this isn't something that festers."

It's expected that Draisaitl's number will come in around the $14 million AAV mark, likely on an 8-year deal. He'll be wrapping up an 8-year, $8.5 million AAV this coming season, certainly one of the best value contracts in hockey.