Top Edmonton Oilers insider sends a warning to the organization involving Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl
Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers came to terms on a record-breaking $112 million contract this week, leaving Connor McDavid's team in a new place.
There is little doubt that Connor McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers' first overall pick in 2015 and the NHL's best player, will re-sign in Alberta, despite comments from his close friend and elite teammate Leon Draisaitl.
«Connor's going to do what's best for him, right? That's just the way this works, and it's supposed to work this way. I did what I felt was best for me personally.
Do I hope Connor follows along? I'd be lying if I said no. Of course I want him to stay on board, and I want all our pieces to stay on board.»
Do I hope Connor follows along? I'd be lying if I said no. Of course I want him to stay on board, and I want all our pieces to stay on board.»
This is where things get complicated, however. Leon Draisaitl will now take up $14 million on the Edmonton Oilers' salary cap rather than his former bargain $8.5 million annual average value. Teammate and number one defenseman Evan Bouchard is equally due for a massive raise from his current $3.9 million annual salary, likely into the $10 million annual range. This is all anchored by Ken Holland's reckless disaster contract to Darnell Nurse.
When it comes to Connor McDavid, he will certainly sign for more than Draisaitl, as put by James Mirtle, fifteen percent isn't going to work:
«The more complicated question looking at all of this cap math is what that means for McDavid, who is peerless in the league. He has won more major individual awards (14 of the Hart, Lindsay, Art Ross, Richard and Conn Smythe) than the other three top salaried players combined. He's piled up 610 points over the past five seasons (1.7 points per game) when only his teammate, Draisaitl, has cleared 500 (538) league wide.
"McDavid is, in short, one of one. And one of the best players to ever play the sport. Fifteen percent isn't going to work.»
"McDavid is, in short, one of one. And one of the best players to ever play the sport. Fifteen percent isn't going to work.»
Next season's projected cap is $92 million, of which Leon Draisaitl will take up approximately 15.2%. When Connor McDavid signs, for an extension that will kick in the following season, the cap is projected to be $96 million - thus an equivalent 15.2% would be worth $14.592 million annually.
However, Connor McDavid is worth even more than that, and with a maximum ceiling (20% of the salary cap) expected to be $18.4 million when Connor McDavid puts pen to paper, there is a lot of negotiation to come.
While this is a lot of money to stomach, it is clear that the Edmonton Oilers believe in their group, and Frank Seravalli is confident he will stick around:
«It's now a 100 per cent shot that Connor McDavid re-signs with the Edmonton Oilers. I didn't think there was to begin with. And certainly not now with Leon Draisaitl looked up for the long term. There's no way that Leon is signing if there is a chance that Connor is not.»
No matter what, the Edmonton Oilers will be big spenders over the next decade.
Credit HockeyFeed:
Warning issued in situation concerning Connor McDavid in Edmonton
Warning issued in situation concerning Connor McDavid in Edmonton
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 5 | 433 ANSWERS Top Edmonton Oilers insider sends a warning to the organization involving Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl Do you think Connor McDavid deserves an NHL-maximum $18.4 million annual contract? | ||
| Yes | 286 | 66.1 % |
| No | 147 | 33.9 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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