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Edmonton Oilers reportedly given ultimatum from Leon Draisaitl's agent


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Tom Banks
July 5, 2024  (3:53 PM)
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Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers.
Photo credit: Bleacher Report

Leon Draisaitl's contract situation will be the story of the year for the Edmonton Oilers, and now his agent has given the team a major ultimatum.

For the past decade, Leon Draisaitl has been an integral part of the Edmonton Oilers, and after falling just short in the Stanley Cup Finals, he expressed just how much he loves being a part of the organization. Now, the time to back up the talk is almost upon him, as Draisaitl is an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025, with many people expecting or hoping that he will sign a deal before next season begins.
In an interesting update to the situation, his agent has reportedly given the Edmonton Oilers an ultimatum, stating that if a deal doesn't get done by the end of August, he'll go into his final year before fre agency without a new deal.
«There's no rush yet, but either it happens quickly, i.e. by the end of August, or it doesn't work out at all,» Poner said in German. «It will also become clear whether Edmonton wants him or not. Leon holds all the trump cards.»

Unsurprisingly, Leon and his party know that he holds all the cards in any negotiation, and given how important he is to the team and especially Connor McDavid, the team won't want to see him walk. His agent then expanded on the potential trade talks that would come if he went into the season as a pending free agent;
«There are two important points. Firstly: What will a club be willing to give up for a short-term deal? Leon would then be a free agent and the club would lose far too much. And secondly: What would Connor McDavid do a year later when his contract expires and Edmonton has already given up his friend?»

Ultimately, right now it appears both parties want to stay together long-term, but if a deal doesn't get done and things don't go well in 2024/25, anything could happen.

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