Trade interest for Leon Draisaitl skyrockets thanks to latest rumours!

At the end of the 20240-25 season, Leon Draisaitl will become an unrestricted free agent. That’s if the Edmonton Oilers do not re-sign him prior to that deadline. That’s not the only factor though. Many insiders and pundits feel that the Oilers can’t go far in the playoffs, Draisaitl will want out and rumours have intensified about possible destinations.

While everyone around the league would be crazy not to want a shot at the star forward, chatter has linked him to two teams: the Boston Bruins and San Jose Sharks.

The German forward was recently linked to the Boston Bruins, as he is set to become an unrestricted free agent next July as he is about to enter the final season of an eight-year, $68 million ($8.5M AAV) contract. The report was made by former Oilers enforcer Georges Laraque, who said on air of BPM Sports, a Montreal sports radio show, that Draisaitl is interested in joining the Boston Bruins if he doesn’t re-sign with the Oilers.

“He’d prefer to be a first-line center in Boston.”

Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy added to Laraque’s claims, saying that Boston makes sense as a destination for Draisaitl because of their lack of centers.

Then, earlier this week, ESPN.com’s Greg Wyshynski spoke about Draisaitl’s future in Edmonton with Jeff Marek, and hinted at the possibility of a move to San Jose to become the face of the Sharks with a significant salary. The link was made with Sharks’ owner, Hasso Plattner, who is German and would probably do all he can to accommodate a compatriot.

However, Draisaitl would also have to start his Stanley Cup journey all over again, while mentoring young players and prospects like Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, William Eklund and Thomas Bordeleau. But there is no doubt he would cash in big in San Jose.

On his current deal, Draisaitl carries a cap hit of $8.5 million and a modified no-trade clause. The Oilers can start negotiating with him on July 1, but it is expected that the star forward will command a substantial raise on his next contract.

There is a huge buzz on what can happen next with Draisaitl and I’m only thinking more teams and more rumours will be linked to him before the start of the 2024-25 season. Especially if the Oilers fail to make it to the Stanley Cup final. They currently trail 3-2 in the second round series against the Vancouver Canucks. 

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