Star forward Leon Draisaitl officially agreed to terms on an eight-year contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, and he wasted little time in expressing his excitement about the deal on social media.
After Tuesday’s announcement, Draisaitl is now under contract with the Oilers through the end of the 2032-33 season, at which point he will be 37 years old.
The Cologne, Germany product shared an Instagram post on Tuesday morning that included three photos of himself during the Oilers’ 2024 Stanley Cup Final run, along with the caption: “Loyal to the OIL.”
Draisaitl, 28, signed an eight-year deal carrying a $14 million AAV with the Oilers, making him the highest-paid player in the NHL — although the total value of his deal, $112 million, falls just short of the 13-year, $9.54 million AAV ($124 million total) deal Alex Ovechkin signed with the Washington Capitals in 2008.
Celeste Desjardins, Draisaitl’s new fiancée, posted an Instagram story on Tuesday morning expressing her excitement for her partner as he enters a new chapter in his NHL career in Edmonton.
“So incredibly proud of you baby. I’ve watched you pour so much love and hard work in everything you do. Your commitment and passion for the game is unmatched,” Desjardins wrote, along with a photo of the couple at the 2023 NHL Heritage Classic. “I can’t wait to see what the next 8 years has in store for you.
“So happy to be on this journey with you and get the privilege to call Edmonton home for the next 8 years. We have created such a beautiful life there with an incredible community and I’m so excited to watch all your greatness continue there. I know how much this city and this team means to you. Keep going my love! Ich liebe dich. Let’s go Oilers!”
Looks like the excitement surrounding Draisaitl’s #Oilers extension isn’t limited to just fans.
Here is a heartwarming message from his fiancée, Celeste Desjardins, on her Instagram story: pic.twitter.com/TAI2RKfhqR
— Preston Hodgkinson (@NHLHodgkinson) September 3, 2024
In 81 games with the Oilers during the 2023-24 regular season, Draisaitl collected 41 goals and 106 points. The 6’2″, 207-pound centre added 10 goals and 31 points in 25 playoff games against the Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks, Dallas Stars, and Florida Panthers this past spring.
The Oilers originally selected Draisaitl in the first round (No. 3 overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft. Through 719 career games over parts of 11 seasons with the Oilers, Draisaitl has collected 347 goals and 850 points; he’s added 41 goals and 108 points in 74 playoff contests.
