It isn’t a secret that the Boston Bruins need a true first-line center. Because of this, Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl has long been a dream target for the Bruins. Speculation about Draisaitl potentially becoming a Bruin in the future has come up, but now that wish might need to be forgotten.
While on the “Oilers Now” podcast, NHL insider Frank Seravalli saidthat he believes that the Oilers will sign Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, and Evan Bouchard to long-term deals that will combine to be $40 million per year.
Seravalli started by saying: “The Oilers need to make hay right now because they’ve got McDavid, Draisaitl, and Bouchard only adding up to $25 million. The next iteration of this when everyone is locked up, because to me, it’s when but not if…”
Bob Stauffer was surprised by Seravalli’s statement: “Whoa, whoa, whoa, you’re saying the Oilers are going to get all three of those guys signed.”
From there, Seravalli brought up the Oilers and Draisaitl’s contract talks: “I believe the Oilers have already begun discussions with Draisaitl’s camp.”
Seravalli then ended with a big prediction by saying: “Two years from now when the Oilers take the ice, those three same guys are going to add up to $40 million bucks.”
It is certainly notable to hear an insider like Seravalli confidently predict that Draisaitl and the rest of the Oilers’ top stars will sign long-term extensions. This is not the best news for the Bruins regarding Draisaitl, as he is precisely the kind of superstar they could use down the middle.
We will need to wait and see what happens with Draisaitl and the Oilers from here, but this update suggests that he will remain in Edmonton for a long time.