Updates on Oilers forwards Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane plus the latest on Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited the “2 Mutts Podcast” claiming they’d heard Leon Draisaitl’s contract talks with the Oilers were “going great.” The 28-year-old center is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).
They said there was talk Draisaitl’s camp would seek an average annual value of $14.5 million but he’s willing to accept less than that to remain in Edmonton. They speculate he’ll receive an eight-year contract with an AAV between $13 million and $13.5 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draisaitl’s contract extension negotiations are among this summer’s hot topics given the dearth of hockey news at this time of year. He’s been underpaid over the past five seasons with an AAV of $8.5 million and many observers believe he’ll get between $13.5 million and $14.5 million.
Recent reports by other insiders indicate the push is on by the Oilers starting with team owner Daryl Katz to get Draisaitl signed. Money isn’t considered an issue but the length of the deal could be a sticking point. Some think Draisaitl will want the full eight-year contract while others suggest he might push for a four-year deal to cash in again as a UFA while still in his prime.
The podcast also claimed Evander Kane would be ready for training camp in September. The 33-year-old winger was nursing a sports hernia throughout last season. Their sources claim going on LTIR isn’t part of the plan. They also claimed the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings were interested in Kane but he’s not waiving his no-movement clause.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This report came out before the latest news (see today’s Morning Coffee Headlines) indicating Kane could start the season on LTIR after all.
As for the rumors linking him to the Ducks and Kings, I don’t believe he would fit with either club if he was available via trade.
The Ducks are a rebuilding team that doesn’t need Kane’s baggage becoming a distraction for their young players. The Kings, meanwhile, already have Quinton Byfield and Trevor Moore as left wings on their top-two scoring lines. They also lack cap room to acquire Kane’s $5.125 million cap hit.
WINNIPEG SUN: Scott Billeck recently reported that Jets head coach Scott Arniel approved of winger Nikolaj Ehlers suiting up for his native Denmark in Olympic qualifying later this month.
Arniel noted that the 28-year-old winger “had a tough go” in training camp over the past two seasons. However, he got off to a good start to the season when he participated in Olympic qualifying in 2021.
The Jets head coach is hoping this will be a good jumpstart to this season for Ehlers, pointing out they need his goal-scoring.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers was the subject of trade speculation in the lead-up to the 2024 NHL Draft in June. However, those rumors faded as the offseason progressed. Arniel’s remarks suggest that the Danish winger will be part of the Jets lineup when their season opens in October.