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On Tuesday morning, Oilers’ forward Leon Draisaitl and General Manager & Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Stan Bowman addressed the media. This followed the signing of an eight-year extension by the German player with the Edmonton club, ensuring his continued presence in the team.

Below, you can read the complete transcript and watch the entire media availability.

Bowman’s delivers his opening remarks:

Greetings to all. It’s a pleasure to be part of this call today. I’d like to kick off by expressing my excitement at the wonderful news that Leon will remain an Edmonton Oiler. Making this happen has been my utmost priority since I assumed my role about a month ago. This is indeed a joyful moment for everyone in Edmonton and for Oilers fans worldwide. I’ve had the privilege of being a fan and observing Leon’s incredible skills on the ice over the past few years. As we all know, his performance is always captivating. He’s fiercely competitive, has a strong desire to win, and is committed to achieving this with the Edmonton Oilers, a sentiment I deeply share. On that note, I will now pass the baton to Leon.

Draisaitl responds with his opening comments:

To begin with, I appreciate everyone’s presence today. My gratitude extends to the Katz family – Daryl, Renee, Harrison, Chloe, and the children – for their unwavering belief in me and their long-term commitment to me and my family. As an Oiler, I take immense pride and while it’s clear I’m passionate, nothing compares to the joy of donning that jersey and representing our city and our exceptional supporters.

“I’m truly thrilled and hopeful to potentially be an Oiler for life.”

Draisaitl on always wanting to remain with Edmonton throughout contract negotiations and his commitment to the city for eight more years:

Naturally, these discussions and negotiations involve a lot of talk, and we’re all aware of that. However, in my experience, they’ve always been conducted with respect and without any significant issues.

I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished in Edmonton over the past few years. This city feels like home to me, as it’s all I’ve ever known. I’m thrilled and honored to put on our jersey each day. As I mentioned before, it’s a source of immense pride for me to play for our city and its supporters. I believe we’re creating something truly exceptional here, and I want to remain a part of this journey, hopefully taking it even further.

8️⃣ more years of 2️⃣9️⃣ pic.twitter.com/IOUnqjLvQj

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 3, 2024

Bowman on the Oilers allocating a large percentage of their salary cap to a handful of players and if teams can build capable depth around them:

The straightforward response to that question would be yes. However, the crucial aspect is that players such as Leon are unique. Not many individuals globally can play hockey at his level. It’s impossible to replace the value Leon adds to our team – he’s a significant team member. He always has been and always will be. In my opinion, there was never any doubt.

Without a doubt, future challenges will arise, but it’s our job to address them when the time comes. Presently, the most crucial factor was ensuring that he wanted to be part of Edmonton. I believe this is something we should all prioritize. This choice was his. While it was my top priority, Leon’s desire to be in Edmonton was a significant factor and became clear to me after our conversations. He has a strong desire to win. As I get to know him better, his intense competitiveness and drive to win really stand out to me. We’ll tackle any other issues as they come, but for the moment, we’re delighted to have him with us.

Draisaitl on if there was a moment he realized Edmonton was the right place for him despite having the potential to hit free agency in July 2025:

My feelings have gradually evolved over time. As a young 18-year-old, I began to cherish being part of a team, particularly the team that initially drafted me. I fostered a deep affection for that team, which in my case, was always the Oilers. Despite our lack of success so far, this only heightens the significance for me. We are all in this together, collectively pulling in the same direction. I am thrilled to participate in this journey and eagerly anticipate our pursuit towards our shared goal – a goal that we are all aware of.

Throughout the years, our team has formed a tight-knit bond. New members consistently join us and their feedback about our group and city has been overwhelmingly positive. They express their love for playing in Edmonton. This atmosphere, which we’ve cultivated over the past few years, is truly special. Our aim is to maintain this positive environment.

Bowman on Draisaitl’s extension being the first step towards keeping Edmonton’s Stanley Cup window open for the foreseeable future:

Absolutely, I agree with your statement. It’s apparent when watching the team on the ice, the significant role he has played over the past several years, not just the previous year alone. Our aim is to ensure he remains with us and we’ll do our best to provide him with a strong supporting cast to enhance our chances of winning. You’ve articulated it excellently.

Draisaitl on the balance of signing a contract he thinks is fair value while leaving room for Oilers management to utilize extra cap space in other areas:

Indeed, it’s a delicate balance, which usually leads to negotiations coming to a halt without further progress. However, I feel that both parties showed great respect in the early stages of negotiations, considering each other’s wants and needs. I believe you’re absolutely right. We understand that it’s impossible to win with only two, three, or four-man rosters. That’s simply not feasible in this league. The league is just too competitive. So, I’m thrilled that the negotiations are done and I can concentrate on improving my game and playing my best hockey, especially when it’s crucial.

Draisaitl on negotiating a separate deal than McDavid but having conversations about their futures in Edmonton:

This remains true. Connor will make the best decision for himself, right? That’s simply how things are supposed to work. I made the decision that was best for me. Would I like for Connor to do the same? I’d be dishonest to deny it. Naturally, I would love for him to remain with us and for all our team members to stay. However, ultimately, I made the best decision for myself. We’ve discussed this many times, but clearly, I’d be untrue to say I wouldn’t desire him to stay for a long time.

Draisaitl on building a culture in Edmonton with his teammates and how that factored into his decision to remain an Oiler:

Absolutely, we’ve forged strong friendships over the past few years. Our partners have also established enduring friendships during this time, which is truly special. While our main focus is on winning, as Connor, Darnell, Nuge, Hyms, and everyone else will confirm, I believe the bonds we’ve formed off the field are nearly as significant. Our club has become a place people are drawn to, and once they arrive, it’s difficult for them to leave. We’ve cultivated this over the past several years, and it’s something we’re extremely proud of. Our ultimate goal is to clinch the Stanley Cup, but we’ve certainly gained lifelong friends in the process.

Draisaitl on the Oilers processing their Game 7 defeat in the Stanley Cup Final:

Yes, it took us some time to get here. We went through a tough period, which was quite difficult to handle. We are indeed proud of our achievements, but the Edmonton Oilers were not the talk of the town, which was our aim. We wanted to be the center of attention at the end of the season. Despite not achieving this, we made significant progress this season. During the summer, we made some excellent additions to our team. Regrettably, we also lost some great players, but that’s part and parcel of the business. I am quite pleased with our current team and look forward to the upcoming season.

LEON'S LOCKED IN

The #Oilers have signed forward Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year contract extension beginning in 2025-26 with an average annual value of $14 million. pic.twitter.com/wERUyneHA7

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 3, 2024

Bowman on negotiations with Draisaitl and the changing landscape of the NHL when it comes to the value of contracts and the rising salary cap:

Leon earlier mentioned something I’d like to revisit – our excellent experience working with Mike Liut and Andy Scott from Octagon. I found the negotiation process to be quite respectful, despite the inevitable challenges that come with any negotiation. I thought it was a positive experience and I really appreciated the opportunity to work with them.

I believe the league’s financial situation has significantly been transformed in a beneficial way. The last few years have witnessed remarkable revenue growth. Following the pandemic, we had to compensate the players and owners for the initial pandemic years. However, we have moved past that now, and the league’s projected revenue seems promising. I think this indicates a positive direction for the salary cap.

The level of uncertainty associated with this issue remains, albeit reduced compared to five or ten years ago when the cap was rising annually, perhaps artificially. Now, I believe there’s a greater assurance that the increase is due to revenue growth, which is a positive indication for the league as a whole. As revenue increases, so does the players’ share, ensuring that top players receive the compensation they are due. These special players who make a significant difference in the game truly deserve it.

Draisaitl on if he considered signing a mid-range deal (four-to-six years) rather than an eight-year contract:

From the beginning of discussions with my agents, we examined all possibilities. However, my deep commitment to the city and our team always guides me. I find it challenging to imagine myself in a different jersey, though I am fully aware that circumstances can change and I comprehend the business aspect thoroughly. However, my hope and desire is to remain an Oiler for life, or at least as long as possible. I believe an eight-year deal suits me best.

Bowman on his experience building a competitive roster around two or more highly-paid players:

Certainly, the mathematics of team building is unchangeable. Therefore, it’s essential to bring in cost-effective players to your team each year. This could be a young player graduating from junior ranks or the American Hockey League, or like the Oilers did last year, finding seasoned players willing to accept less money on shorter contracts. I believe it’s crucial to have the capability to recruit players who will not only contribute to the team’s performance on the ice, but also align with the team’s salary cap structure.

I believe that the identification, drafting, and development of young players who can contribute significantly is crucial. As we progress, this will be a focal point for our front office team in the upcoming years. We will ensure that we not only excel in drafting and nurturing players, but also in preparing them to transition into the NHL lineup without commanding top-tier salaries.

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Draisaitl on knowing what it takes to win a Stanley Cup after coming within one game of a championship last season:

Pardon my bluntness, but it’s draining to ponder it repeatedly. Clearly, we couldn’t have been much closer than we were, but ultimately, we came away with nothing. We’ve amassed a wealth of experience and positive indications from our playoff run and most of our team is returning. I believe we’re prepared to strike again, using the lessons and experiences from last season to our advantage this season. However, we’re all aware that reaching that point is a necessity.

Bowman on how Draisaitl’s extension could impact McDavid’s pending negotiations for a new contract (eligible July 1, 2025):

Yes, every negotiation is individual, thus I’m uncertain about its influence. We will approach it as an independent contract.

We intend to discuss with Connor and his agent when the time is right. Our actions indicate our desire to win. We value Leon’s past and future contributions to the team and hope this demonstrates our commitment to progress towards victory. As Leon mentioned, we were very close to winning last year, and we aim to go even further this year. Our primary message is our determination to win and our readiness to do whatever it takes. We hope this is a message that appeals to Connor. However, the actual negotiation will be a separate matter. It might differ from our current discussion or it might not. I can’t say for sure at this moment, but I’m eager to start that conversation.

Draisaitl on if there’s any extra pressure he’s going to put on himself with a new contract:

Of course, there’s some pressure, but I wouldn’t necessarily label it as ‘pressure’. I believe the term ‘responsibility’ is more fitting than ‘pressure’.

I understand my responsibility and am cognizant of the faith and commitment that Daryl, the Katz family, and the entire Oilers organization have placed in me. It’s now my turn to reciprocate their trust. I’m fully aware of my obligation. Does this entail pressure? Yes, at times, it does involve pressure. However, I am being compensated handsomely to manage such situations.