Contract countdown: Draisaitl's agent draws line in the sand for Oilers Deal
Photo credit: OilersNation
Oilers and draisaitl at a crossroads: Negotiations hang in balance.
As the Edmonton Oilers and Leon Draisaitl's representation, led by agent Jiri Poner, engage in crucial contract negotiations, the pace appears deliberate, with no immediate resolution in sight.
Poner, in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, emphasized the lack of urgency but highlighted a significant underestimation in Draisaitl's current standing within the team.
According to Poner, the Oilers have undervalued their second-line center by 30%. For a player of Draisaitl's caliber�who would be a first-line center on any team not graced by Connor McDavid�this assessment might seem particularly jarring.
His statistics alone bolster this claim, boasting an impressive tally of 850 points from 719 games, breaking down into 347 goals and 503 assists.
The discussions take on a more pressing tone considering Poner's stern view on the future: he believes if a deal isn't sealed by the end of August, it might never materialize.
This deadline casts a shadow over Draisaitl's future with the Oilers, a team he's significantly uplifted, evidenced by his consistent 100-point seasons over the last five years and his pivotal role in their recent Stanley Cup run.
« 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 stated to Eishockey News. "It will also become clear whether Edmonton really wants him or not. »
In the postseason, Draisaitl has been nothing short of stellar, with a record of 108 points in 74 games. His outstanding performance secured him the Hart Trophy in 2020, further proving his indispensable value to the team.
While Poner remains optimistic about reaching an agreement, he also cautions that the negotiations could deteriorate if the Oilers fail to acknowledge Draisaitl's true worth and compensate him accordingly.
As the situation unfolds, the Oilers are at a juncture that could define their competitive edge in the upcoming seasons.
The resolution of these negotiations will not only reveal the financial valuation of a key player like Draisaitl but also signal the strategic direction the franchise intends to take.
| POLL | ||
5 JUILLET | 53 ANSWERS Contract countdown: Draisaitl's agent draws line in the sand for Oilers Deal Do you think Leon Draisaitl stays in Edmonton? | ||
| Yes | 30 | 56.6 % |
| No | 23 | 43.4 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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