In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the latest speculation over Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl’s next contract, an update on Hurricanes forward Martin Necas, and trade conjecture continues to swirl around Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad.
WHAT COULD LEON DRAISAITL’S NEXT CONTRACT LOOK LIKE?
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson believes Leon Draisaitl’s next contract with the Oilers could be at least $13.5 million per season. He thinks they should consider themselves lucky if they can get the 28-year-old forward signed to that amount.
Draisaitl is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. His current average annual value is $8.5 million.
Matheson points out the salary cap for the first season of Draisaitl’s next contract (2025-26) could reach $93 million. He pointed out how much stars such as Toronto’s Auston Matthews ($13.25 million AAV), Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon ($12.6 million), Oilers captain Connor McDavid ($12.5 million), the New York Rangers’ Artemi Panarin ($11.64 million) and Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson ($11.6 million) are earning.
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).
Meanwhile, David Staples cited Oilers insider Bob Stauffer claiming Draisaitl could seek a seven or eight-year term on his next contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matheson believes Draisaitl’s deal will get done because Oilers owner Daryl Katz wants it done. He also noted new general manager Stan Bowman said his priority is to make the talented forward an Oiler for life.
A steadily rising salary cap will help the Oilers re-sign Draisaitl and defenseman Evan Bouchard by next summer. It should also help them ensure they can afford to retain McDavid on another monstrous contract before his UFA eligibility in July 2026.
WHAT NEXT FOR MARTIN NECAS AFTER RE-SIGNING WITH THE HURRICANES?
DFO RUNDOWN: Frank Seravalli named Martin Necas the player he’s most surprised hasn’t been traded. He believes there were a couple of deals under consideration that ultimately weren’t enough for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Seravalli believed the Buffalo Sabres had a deal in place during draft week with the Hurricanes for Necas but the forward wouldn’t agree to sign a new contract with that new deal. There was another he believed was from the Winnipeg Jets with an offer of Rutger McGroarty, Cole Perfetti, and a draft pick but didn’t get it done or it wasn’t a place Necas didn’t want to go.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Necas lacked no-trade protection but his status as a restricted free agent with arbitration rights gave him leverage regarding possible trade destinations.
Seravalli didn’t indicate what the Sabres offered up for Necas. That package from the Jets looks like an overpayment given Perfetti’s potential.
Necas agreed to a two-year deal with the Hurricanes on Monday with an AAV of $6.5 million. He still lacks no-trade protection but it seems less likely he’ll be moved now.
Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky recently said he’d continue to talk to other clubs but those interested parties no longer have the salary cap flexibility they had in June. The departures of forwards Jake Guentzel and Teuvo Teravainen also ensure Necas will have a larger role this season.
THE LATEST AARON EKBLAD SPECULATION
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau has Aaron Ekblad on the hot seat as the Florida Panthers defend the Stanley Cup this season.
The Panthers defenseman is entering the final season of his contract with an AAV of $7.5 million. However, if GM Bill Zito is being proactive, he could attempt to move Ekblad before the next trade deadline.
Ekblad’sbeen hampered by injuries since 2018-19. However, he could still have considerable trade value as a 28-year-old right-shot blueliner. Zito’s been known for making bold moves so trading Ekblad isn’t out of the question.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ekblad has frequently surfaced in the rumor mill since early June. His full no-movement clause became a 12-team no-trade list on July 1, giving Zito room to maneuver in trade talks.
The departures of Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson depleted the Panthers’ blueline for the coming season and could make Zito reluctant to move Ekblad. Nevertheless, this situation could be worth monitoring as this season unfolds.