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After signing an eight-year extension to stay with the Edmonton Oilers, forward Leon Draisaitl and Stan Bowman, the General Manager & Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations, addressed the media on Tuesday morning.

Below, you can read the complete transcript and watch the entire media availability.

Bowman’s delivers his opening remarks:

“Hello everyone, I’m delighted to join this call today. I want to begin by expressing my excitement of announcing Leon’s continued affiliation with the Edmonton Oilers. Since my tenure started a month ago, this has been my primary focus. It’s indeed a wonderful time for everyone in Edmonton and Oilers fans globally. Over the past few years, I’ve had the joy of witnessing Leon’s talents as a fan. As you all know, his skills on the ice are exceptional. He’s a driven individual, eager to win, and keen to achieve it with the Edmonton Oilers, reflecting my sentiments as well. Now, I would like to pass the conversation over to Leon.”

Draisaitl responds with his opening comments:

To begin with, I appreciate everyone for being here today. I would like to express my gratitude to the Katz family – Daryl, Renee, Harrison, Chloe, and the children – for their faith in me and their commitment to me and my family over the years. It fills me with immense pride to be an Oiler. I’m known for being an open book, but nothing brings me more joy than donning that jersey and standing for our city and our incredible fans.

I’m immensely thrilled and hopeful about potentially spending my entire career as an Oiler.

Draisaitl on always wanting to remain with Edmonton throughout contract negotiations and his commitment to the city for eight more years:

Surely, we all understand that these conversations and negotiations involve a great deal of chatter. However, in my experience, they have always remained respectful, with no significant issues occurring.

The developments we’ve made over the past few years and the sense of belonging I feel in Edmonton make me proud. Edmonton is all I know and I’m thrilled to don its jersey each day. As I previously stated, representing our city and our fans fills me with immense pride. I believe we are creating something truly unique and I’m eager to continue contributing to this, with the hope of taking it to the next level.

8️⃣ more years of 2️⃣9️⃣ pic.twitter.com/IOUnqjLvQj

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 3, 2024

Bowman on the Oilers allocating a large percentage of their salary cap to a handful of players and if teams can build capable depth around them:

To put it plainly, the answer is yes. But what’s more vital to note is that Leon is a unique player. There are only a few people worldwide who can match his hockey skills. We could never find a replacement for the value Leon adds to our team, making him an integral part. He has always been, and will continue to be, irreplaceable. So, for me, there was never any doubt.

Surely, we’ll face challenges in the future, but we’ll deal with those as they come. Right now, the priority was ensuring that he wanted to be in Edmonton. This is something we should all concentrate on. He made this choice. While it was my top priority, it required Leon’s desire to be in Edmonton. This became clear to me after our discussion – his main goal is victory. Getting to know him better, I’ve noticed his intense competitiveness and drive to win. We’ll sort out any other issues later. For now, we’re just delighted that he’s part of our team.

Draisaitl on if there was a moment he realized Edmonton was the right place for him despite having the potential to hit free agency in July 2025:

My affection for this team has grown over time. When I was just an 18-year-old kid, I began to appreciate being part of a team, particularly the one that had drafted me. I developed a deep affinity for that team, which in my case, was always the Oilers. Despite not yet achieving our ultimate goal, it has only intensified my passion. It’s an honor to be a part of this journey and I am thrilled to continue working towards our common objective. We’re all in this together, united in our efforts, and eager to achieve our shared ambition.

Over time, we have forged a strong bond within our group. The unity we share is evident to all the new members who continuously join us. They all express the same sentiments about our group and our city – they adore playing in Edmonton. I believe we have fostered this environment over the last few years, which is truly special. We aim to maintain this atmosphere going forward.

Bowman on Draisaitl’s extension being the first step towards keeping Edmonton’s Stanley Cup window open for the foreseeable future:

Absolutely, I agree with your statement. His crucial role on the team is clearly visible when you watch the team on the ice. This hasn’t been the case just for the past year, but for several years now. Therefore, there’s no doubt that we’ve been striving to ensure he remains with us. Our responsibility is to pair him with the finest players possible to optimize our team’s chances of winning. I believe you’ve articulated this very well.

Draisaitl on the balance of signing a contract he thinks is fair value while leaving room for Oilers management to utilize extra cap space in other areas:

“Yes, it’s a delicate balance. Often, this is where negotiations reach an impasse and progress no further. However, I believe that both parties maintained mutual respect throughout this process, taking into account each other’s needs and desires. I agree with your perspective. We realize that victory isn’t achievable with only two, three, or four-man rosters. It’s just not feasible in this league, which is highly competitive. So, I’m pleased that the negotiations are completed and I can now concentrate on improving my game, performing my best, particularly when it’s most crucial.”

Draisaitl on negotiating a separate deal than McDavid but having conversations about their futures in Edmonton:

It still remains the same. Connor will make the decision that benefits him best, right? It’s the natural course of things and how it’s supposed to be. I made decisions that I believed were beneficial for me. Would I like Connor to follow my example? I would be dishonest if I denied that. Of course, I wish for him to remain with us and for all our team members to stay. However, ultimately, I made decisions that were favourable for me. We have discussed this repeatedly, but I would be dishonest if I claimed that I wouldn’t like him to stay with us for a long time.

Draisaitl on building a culture in Edmonton with his teammates and how that factored into his decision to remain an Oiler:

Indeed, we’ve forged a significant number of friendships over the past few years. Our partners have also formed strong, enduring friendships during this time, which is truly unique and special. While our primary objective is to secure victory, as Connor, Darnell, Nuge, Hyms, and the rest would confirm, the bonds we’ve established off the field are nearly as crucial. Our team has developed a welcoming environment that attracts people and makes it difficult for them to depart. We’ve cultivated this over the past few years, and it’s something we take immense pride in. Winning the Stanley Cup remains our main goal, but we’ve certainly accumulated lifelong friends in the process.

Draisaitl on the Oilers processing their Game 7 defeat in the Stanley Cup Final:

Yes, it did take some time. It was a deeply unsettling feeling for a while. Of course, we’re proud of our achievements, but it’s clear that the Edmonton Oilers didn’t get the recognition they deserved. Our ultimate aim is to be the talk of the town on the final day of the season. We made significant strides this season and managed to acquire some exceptional players over the summer. We did lose some important members of our team, but that’s just the nature of the business. I’m really pleased with our current lineup and eager to get started.

LEON'S LOCKED IN

The #Oilers have signed forward Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year contract extension beginning in 2025-26 with an average annual value of $14 million. pic.twitter.com/wERUyneHA7

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 3, 2024

Bowman on negotiations with Draisaitl and the changing landscape of the NHL when it comes to the value of contracts and the rising salary cap:

Leon mentioned earlier his positive experience dealing with Octagon’s Mike Liut and Andy Scott, and I’d like to echo that sentiment. I found the negotiation process to be respectful, despite the usual challenges that arise during any negotiation. I believe we navigated these challenges well together and overall, I had a great time working with them.

I believe the league’s financial scenario has changed positively compared to the past. The revenue generated in recent years has been impressive and post-pandemic, we faced the task of reimbursing the players and owners for the initial pandemic years. That phase is behind us now, and the league’s projected revenues appear robust. I think this suggests a promising future for the salary cap.

While there is always an element of uncertainty, the situation has evolved from five or ten years ago when the cap was increasing annually, perhaps artificially so. Nowadays, there’s more confidence that the rise is linked directly to revenues, which is a positive indication for the league as a whole. As revenues increase, so does the players’ share, ensuring that top performers receive appropriate compensation. These players are crucial to the game and deserve their pay due to the impact they bring, proving their exceptional skills.

Draisaitl on if he considered signing a mid-range deal (four-to-six years) rather than an eight-year contract:

From the beginning, when I began discussions with my agents, we explored all possibilities. However, I believe my dedication to this city and our team is paramount. The idea of donning a different jersey is hard for me to visualize. I understand that things can change, and I am well aware of the business aspect. However, my desire is to remain an Oiler for as long as possible, ideally for life. I felt that an eight-year contract was the best fit for me.

Bowman on his experience building a competitive roster around two or more highly-paid players:

Indeed, the numbers don’t lie. Therefore, it’s essential to incorporate low-cost players into your team annually. This could be a young player transitioning from the junior leagues, the American Hockey League, or as the Oilers demonstrated this past year, experienced players who are willing to accept less money for shorter contracts. It’s crucial to have the capacity to onboard players who can contribute both in terms of their performance on the ice and their impact on the team’s salary cap structure.

I believe that identifying, fostering, and recruiting young talent is crucial for our future. Our front office team will concentrate on this area in the coming years. We are committed to not only sourcing and nurturing these players, but also preparing them to transition into the NHL lineup without commanding top-tier salaries.

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Draisaitl on knowing what it takes to win a Stanley Cup after coming within one game of a championship last season:

Pardon my choice of words, but it’s frustrating to continually dwell on it. Clearly, we were as close as possible, yet we ended up with nothing. However, we’ve accrued significant experience and many positive indicators throughout our playoff run, and a substantial part of our team is returning. I believe we’re prepared to strike again, implementing the lessons and experiences we gathered last season into the new one. But naturally, we all understand that reaching there is vital.

Bowman on how Draisaitl’s extension could impact McDavid’s pending negotiations for a new contract (eligible July 1, 2025):

Yes, each negotiation is distinct, so I’m uncertain about its potential impact. We will handle it as an independent contract.

Our conversation with Connor and his agent is planned for the appropriate time. All I can state now is our desire for victory is clear. We have faith in Leon’s ongoing and future contributions to the team, which we hope signals our commitment to progress and aim for victory. As Leon has pointed out, we came close last year, and we’re eager to progress further. Our key message is our determination to win and our readiness to do all within our power to achieve it. Hopefully, this is a message Connor will appreciate. However, the negotiation process will be a separate issue. It could be similar or different, it’s uncertain at this point. Nevertheless, I anticipate having that discussion.

Draisaitl on if there’s any extra pressure he’s going to put on himself with a new contract:

Of course, there’s pressure, but I wouldn’t exactly call it ‘pressure’. It feels more like ‘responsibility’ than ‘pressure’.

I understand my duty. I recognize the dedication that Daryl, the Katz family, and the entire Oilers organization have bestowed upon me. Now, it’s my turn to reciprocate in some way, and I am cognizant of my obligation. Does it invoke pressure? Definitely, there are moments of pressure. I am going to earn a significant amount of money to manage those situations.