Leon Draisaitl’s agent gives ultimatum to the Oilers!

Star forward Leon Draisaitl has mentioned how he loves being an Oiler in his exit interview last month, but his agent knows his client “holds all the trump cards.”

During an interview with Michael Bauer of Germany’s EishockeyNews, Draisaitl’s agent Jiri Poner revealed how the ball was in Edmonton’s court. He even sounded like he was giving the team an ultimatum on when a contract offer should be made to Draisaitl.

“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 said in German. “It will also become clear whether Edmonton wants him or not. Leon holds all the trump cards.”

Draisaitl enters the last year of his current deal, on an $8.5-million annual salary, and is likely to command a substantial increase, potentially in the range of $13.5 million to $14.5 million per year. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently wrote that the Oilers seem prepared to slow-play any contract extension talks with Draisaitl, but it sounds like Poner wants a quick decision by the club.

The agent was asked about the trade chatter if they failed to agree to an extension and the chance that Draisaitl could walk away with no assets coming back to Edmtonon next summer.

“There are two important points. Firstly: What will a club be willing to give up for a short-term deal? Leon would then be a free agent and the club would lose far too much. And secondly: What would Connor McDavid do a year later when his contract expires and Edmonton has already given up his friend?”

In all, Poner seems confident that agreement can be reached with the Oilers and Draisaitl that will please both camps.

I guess only time will tell.