Leon Draisaitl Addresses Connor McDavid's Future with Oilers

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Spencer Garrett Ostrow | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 1:52 PM ET

The Edmonton Oilers were eliminated in the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year with their Game 6 loss on Tuesday night. With both defeats coming at the hands of the Florida Panthers, general manager Stan Bowman’s goal moving forward is clear: keep adding pieces to put his team in position to dethrone the standard.

One major priority for Bowman, though, is re-signing star forward Connor McDavid. The three-time Hart Trophy winner is widely regarded as the best player in the NHL, and next season he’ll enter the final year of his eight-year contract with a $12.5 million average annual value (AAV).

Bowman is likely to open discussions with McDavid this offseason because the team needs answers. The 28-year-old hasn’t shown any indication he wants to leave, but if that’s even a possibility with another Cup Final loss, the Oilers could look to get something in return rather than risk losing him for nothing.

And for what it’s worth, TSN discussed on Wednesday what a hypothetical Panthers trade package for McDavid might look like.

Leon Draisaitl, McDavid’s longtime teammate and right-hand man, spoke to the media on Thursday and was asked about McDavid’s future in Edmonton.

"I'm going to be honest, I haven't really talked to Connor about it yet," Draisaitl said. "There comes a time where we talk about it, but there's nothing that I can tell you right now that you want to hear or you need to hear. That's his situation, and he will do what's best for him and his family. I mean, do I want him here forever? Yes, of course. I think everybody does. So, yeah, there's not much I can give you there."

Draisaitl on McDavids future. pic.twitter.com/yDPouAegKI
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) June 19, 2025

McDavid was drafted first overall by the Oilers in the 2015 NHL draft and recently wrapped up his 10th season in the league. He’s recorded eight 100-point seasons, with his best coming in 2022-23 when he posted 153 points.

In his career, he’s tallied 361 regular-season goals, 721 assists and 1,082 points.

In addition to three Hart Trophies, he’s also won five Art Ross Trophies, four Ted Lindsay Awards, one Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy and last season’s Conn Smythe.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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