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After signing an eight-year extension with the club, Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl and General Manager & Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Stan Bowman addressed the media on Tuesday morning. The German player has committed to remain in Edmonton.

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

Bowman’s delivers his opening remarks:

“Hello to all. It’s wonderful to be part of this call today. I am pleased to kick things off with exciting news: Leon will remain an Edmonton Oiler. Since assuming my position a little over a month ago, this has been my highest priority. It’s a thrilling moment for everyone in Edmonton and Oiler fans worldwide. Over the past few years, I’ve had the joy of watching Leon play as a fan. As you all are aware, his on-ice performance is nothing short of spectacular. He’s not only competitive but also passionate about winning, particularly with the Edmonton Oilers – a sentiment I wholeheartedly share. Now, I’ll hand it over to Leon.”

Draisaitl responds with his opening comments:

Firstly, I appreciate everyone’s presence here today. My deepest gratitude goes to the Katz family – Daryl, Renee, Harrison, Chloe and the children, for their faith in me and their enduring commitment to me and my family. I am immensely proud to be an Oiler and while I am known to wear my heart on my sleeve, there’s no greater joy for me than donning that jersey and representing our city and our incredible fans.

“I’m incredibly thrilled and hopeful about potentially being an Oiler for life.”

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

Surely, we’re all aware that these discussions and negotiations involve a great deal of chatter. However, in my view, the interactions have always been respectful without any significant issues.

Over the past few years, we’ve built something that makes me feel truly at home in Edmonton. This is the only place I truly know and I feel an immense sense of pride and excitement wearing Edmonton’s jersey daily. Like I mentioned before, representing our city and our fans gives me immense satisfaction. I believe we’re constructing something extraordinary. My desire is to remain involved in this process and hopefully take it a step further.

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:

The straightforward response to that query is indeed yes. However, the crux of the matter is the uniqueness of players like Leon. There are very few individuals globally who can match his hockey skills. It would be impossible to find a replacement for the value Leon adds to our team, underscoring his vital role. He has always been a significant part, and he will remain so. For me, there was never any doubt.

Undoubtedly, we’ll face challenges in the future, but we’ll address those as they arise. At present, the crucial thing was ensuring that he wanted to be in Edmonton. This is something we should all concentrate on. The decision was his, but it was my top priority and required a lot of cooperation from Leon to want to be in Edmonton. After our discussions, it was clear to me that he is highly motivated by the desire to win. As I get to know him better, his competitiveness and drive to win really stand out. We’ll handle the rest later, but for now, we’re just excited 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 feelings have naturally developed over time. As a young 18-year-old, you begin to truly appreciate being part of a team, particularly the team that drafted you. You nurture a deep affection for that team; for me, it was always the Oilers. Despite not having achieved our ultimate goal yet, it only makes it more meaningful for me. We’re committed to achieving this together, all pulling in the same direction. I’m thrilled to be a part of this and eager to keep working towards our shared ambition, which we’re all aware of.

Throughout the years, our team has formed a strong bond, and this includes the newcomers who continuously join us. They all express the same sentiment about our team and Edmonton – they love playing here. We have managed to cultivate this atmosphere over recent years and it’s something truly unique. Our aim is to maintain this special environment.

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. Simply observing the team on the ice clearly illustrates the crucial role he has played, not only last year but for several years now. Given this, we unquestionably wish to secure his stay. It’s our duty to provide him the finest players for support, thereby enhancing our team’s chance of victory. Without a doubt, your articulation was spot on.

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:

Indeed, it’s a delicate balance, and this is usually where negotiations come to a halt without further progress. However, I believe both parties were extremely considerate early in the negotiation process, considering the desires and necessities of each side. I completely agree with your perspective. It’s well-known that a team cannot succeed with only two, three, or four key players. It’s simply not feasible in this highly competitive league. So, I’m relieved that the negotiations are concluded, allowing me to concentrate on improving my game and performing at my best, particularly in crucial moments.

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

This remains the case. Connor will, understandably, make the decision that benefits him most. That’s the nature of the situation and how it should be. I made choices based on my own best interest. Would I like Connor to follow suit? It’d be dishonest to deny it. Naturally, I want him and everyone else to remain with us. However, I had to prioritize my own needs. We’ve discussed it extensively, but truth be told, I’d be less than honest if I didn’t admit I hope he will 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:

Yes, absolutely. Over the past few years, we’ve cultivated deep friendships. Our wives, fiancées, and girlfriends have also formed enduring bonds. It’s quite special indeed. While our primary goal is to win, as Connor, Darnell, Nuge, Hyms, and everyone else will attest to, the relationships we’ve built off the ice are equally meaningful. Our team has become a place people are drawn to, and once they join us, it’s difficult for them to leave. We’ve fostered this environment over the past few years, and it’s something we take great pride in. Winning the Stanley Cup is our ultimate objective, but the lifelong friendships we’ve made are an equally precious outcome.

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

Yes, it did take some time and was quite agonizing for a bit. We’re obviously proud of our accomplishments, but no one was talking about the Edmonton Oilers, which was our ultimate goal. We want to be the talk of the town on the last day of the season. We’ve made significant strides this season and added some exceptional players over the summer. Unfortunately, we also lost some valuable players, but that’s the nature of the business. I’m very optimistic about our current team and eager to start the season.

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 about his positive experience in dealing with Octagon’s Mike Liut and Andy Scott, which I’d like to discuss a bit more. The negotiation was conducted with utmost respect, like any negotiation, it came with its own set of challenges. However, the overall process was fantastic and it was a pleasure working with them.

I believe the league’s financial situation has changed for the better. In recent years, the revenues have been exceptional and, following the pandemic, the challenge was to reimburse the players and owners for the initial years of the pandemic. That phase is now behind us and the league’s revenue forecasts appear quite robust, which I think is a positive sign for the future direction of the salary cap.

While there is always some uncertainty, the situation is different from five or ten years ago when the cap was perhaps artificially increasing each year. Nowadays, there’s more confidence in the cap growing based on actual revenues, which is a positive sign for the league overall. As revenues increase, so does the players’ share, ensuring that top performers are adequately compensated. These are the players who make a difference and deserve this level of remuneration.

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

From the very beginning, discussions with my agents included all possible scenarios. However, I believe my commitment to the city and our team is paramount. It’s hard for me to imagine wearing a different jersey, although I’m aware that things can change and I fully understand the business aspect. But I’ve always wanted to be an oiler for life, or at least for as long as possible. I felt that an eight-year deal was the best fit for me.

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

Undeniably, the mathematics of the situation is fixed. Therefore, it is essential to incorporate low-cost players into your team annually, whether they are emerging from the junior leagues, the American Hockey League, or like the Oilers, who found seasoned players willing to accept lower salaries on shorter contracts last year. I believe it’s crucial to have the capacity to recruit players who can contribute both on the ice through their skills and in managing the salary cap structure.

I believe it’s crucial for us to focus on drafting, developing, and identifying young players who can contribute. As we progress, this will be an important aspect for our front office group. Over the next few years, our target is to excel in not only drafting and developing players but also preparing them to transition into the NHL lineup without commanding top 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 constantly dwelling on it is unpleasant. Clearly, we couldn’t have been much more united than we were, yet we ended up gaining nothing. We’ve accumulated a wealth of experience and promising indicators during our playoff run, and the majority of our team is returning. I believe we’re poised to make another attempt and incorporate the lessons and experiences from last season into our present one. However, it’s evident to everyone that we first need to reach that point.

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

Yes, every negotiation is unique, so I’m uncertain about its potential impact. We will regard this as an individual contract.

“We plan on discussing things with Connor and his agent when the time is right. Our intention is to communicate our desire to win. We value Leon’s past and future contributions to the team and hope this demonstrates our commitment to progress and victory. As Leon mentioned, we were very close to winning last year, and we aim to go further this time. Our message is clear: we’re determined to win and will do everything possible to achieve that. Hopefully, this is a sentiment Connor will appreciate. However, the negotiation process will be a separate issue. It may or may not differ from previous experiences. We’re excited to engage in that conversation.”

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

Of course there’s some strain, but I’m not sure ‘pressure’ is the right term. I’d say it’s more about ‘responsibility’ than ‘pressure’.

I acknowledge my duty. I recognize the commitment that Daryl, the Katz family, and the whole Oilers organization have entrusted to me. Now, it’s my turn to reciprocate. I understand my responsibility. Does it come with pressure? Yes, there are moments of pressure. I am set to earn a significant income to manage those moments.