The Daily: Signing Draisaitl Should Keep McDavid With Oilers; Edvinsson Projection

The Leon Draisaitl signing for an average of $14 million per season has spawned plenty of debate about what it means for Connor McDavid’s next contract.

The Draisaitl deal presumably means McDavid will want more. Can the Oilers afford to have $29 million tied up in two players? That’s why one school of thought is that McDavid will end up elsewhere.

But Sportsnet columnist Mark Spector believes Draisaitl’s new deal means McDavid is absolutely coming back.

“People want to come here, and when they do come, it’s hard for them to leave now,” Draisaitl said. “And I think we’ve created that over the last couple years, and that’s something that we’re really, really proud of. But the main priority is to win the Stanley Cup.”

Spector’s take is it shows that the days of players not wanting sign in Edmonton are over.

“If you can read those words and still think that Connor McDavid is going to sign anywhere else but Edmonton, you truly are delusional,” Spector wrote. “Draisaitl stayed because he loves the culture and he can’t find another place with a better chance to win. McDavid sets that culture in Edmonton, and when his lieutenants sign on for eight years as we’ve seen in Edmonton, the captain will not be far behind.”

📝 #LetsGoOilers LEON DRAISAITL has been among the most productive & reliable players in #NHL history.

ERA ADJUSTED through AGE-28:
🔹 9th all-time in points
🔹 Trails only Gretzky, Jagr, Connor, Sid, Howe, Mario, MacKinnon, Yzerman
🔹 Missed just *9 games* in last 8 seasons https://t.co/juqkH9dilM pic.twitter.com/cM6GVygY2U

— Paul Pidutti (@AdjustedHockey) September 3, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Red Wings Rookie team includes Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Nate Danielson.  Detroit Rookies will play against the Dallas Stars rookies in a two-game series in Traverse City, Sept. 14-15.

Detroit prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka has recovered from injury well enough to be ready to play for his Swedish Hockey League team in Champions League game.

Paywall story: Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman, once he has Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond signed, will have a favorable cap situation next summer.  If you want to suscribe, click here.

Red Wings Offseason

How much offense can defenseman Simon Edvinsson create in his first full season with the Red Wings? He posted 30 points for the Griffins last season in 54 games. Edvinsson owns four points in 25 games at the NHL. Don’t see Edvinsson getting power play time this season unless the Red Wings are overrun by injuries. If Edvinsson put up 20-plus points, the team would probably be pleased.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Bruins’ Brad Marchand leads by example at Captain’s Practice. Boston Bruins. 

Montreal: MHN explores the goaltender Carey Price Hall of Fame debate. Montreal Canadiens.  

New Jersey: NJHN looks at five Devils who could win awards in the 2024-25 season. New Jersey Devils.

Pittsburgh: With Leon Draisaitl now signed, Dan Kingerski looks at what’s going on, if anything, with the Sidney Crosby contract negotiations. Pittsburgh Penguins.