Five Teams Emerge As Frontrunner's For Leon Draisaitl

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Tom Banks
January 12, 2024 (9:04 PM)

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The Edmonton Oilers have had a superstar duo for a number of years no, but with no Stanley Cup success to show for it, they may lose one of those players in free agency.

Could Draisaitl leave the Oilers in free agency?

After 672 games and counting as a member of the Edmonton Oilers, rumours continue to swirl that Leon Draisaitl may be on his way out, despite the successful statistical pairing with Connor McDavid.

Over that time Draisaitl has 325 goals and 787 points, but the Oilers have had very limited Stanley Cup success, and now, that may pave the way for a shock exit in free agency.

Five big market teams linked to the star forward

According to Mark Spector, an Edmonton Oilers reporter, he may have his eyes on some big market squads if he were to ever break up the pairing with McDavid.

In his recent article, Mark Spector lists the Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, and New York Rangers as teams that superstar F Leon Draisaitl could consider if he were to leave the Edmonton Oilers when his current contract is up.

While there isn't any reason to believe Draisaitl is considering leaving Edmonton, Drai stated he was going to do «what's best for him» when his current contract is up, not giving any real answer when he was asked about re-signing.

On top of that, Spector speculates that Draisaitl's next contract would be his last, signaling that he won't take a short-term deal like Auston Matthews, but would instead look for a longer deal with whichever team he lands on.

Spector believes Drai's next contract will be the team he finishes out his career with, as he believes there is almost no chance he signs a short-term deal like Auston Matthews did with the Toronto Maple Leafs.