New Contracts For Their Big Stars Could Turn the Oilers Into 'Toronto West'

Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

The Edmonton Oilers have been more successful than the Toronto Maple Leafs in reaching the Stanley Cup final in the last 55-plus years. Since the Leafs' last appearance in 1967, the Oilers have advanced to the final round eight times, winning five Cups.

That includes the current version as they attempt to do what the 1942 Maple Leafs did: overcome an 0-3 series deficit to win the Cup.

However, the Oilers could soon become comparable to the Leafs regarding hefty contracts for their biggest stars.

Oilers captain Connor McDavid carries an average annual value of $12.5 million through 2025-26. Leon Draisaitl has a year remaining with an $8.5-million cap hit, making his contract the NHL's biggest active bargain. Meanwhile, emerging defense star Evan Bouchard is an RFA next summer with arbitration rights carrying a $3.9-million cap hit on his current deal.

The Hockey News' Caleb Kerney last week cited Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli speculating it could cost the Oilers a considerable amount to re-sign McDavid, Draisaitl and Bouchard.

“Two years from now when the Oilers take the ice, those same three guys are going to add up to $40 million,” Seravalli said.

Seravalli suggested McDavid's new average annual value will be $16 million, Draisaitl's at $14 million and Bouchard $10 million. He also believes contract extension talks have begun between Oilers management and the Draisaitl camp.

McDavid remains the NHL's top player, but he's been supplanted by Toronto center Auston Matthews and Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon as the highest paid. Now in his prime, he'll seek a cap hit that exceeds Matthews and MacKinnon.

Draisaitl is an established superstar in his own right. He's been significantly underpaid since winning the Art Ross Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy in 2019-20. Meanwhile, Bouchard has emerged as a high-scoring defenseman and the linchpin of the Oilers' power play with his booming point shot.

Seravalli believes the Oilers can afford those hefty raises, anticipating the cap will reach $100 million in two years. Nevertheless, investing $40 million in three players is similar to the Maple Leafs tying up $46.65 million in Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner and John Tavares.

That could prompt Oilers management to shed some salary. Kerney noted that Seravalli included defenseman Darnell Nurse among his off-season list of trade targets.

Nurse carries an annual cap hit of $9.25 million through 2029-30 and a full no-movement clause. It wouldn't be an easy task to move that contract, although Kerney says the Oilers are better off keeping Nurse after seeing him play with young blueliner Philip Broberg.

Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here.