The Oilers' Leon Draisaitl and Penguins' Sidney Crosby won't see their contracts expire for another season, but they could be in the spotlight as soon as this off-season.

Most of the NHL's focus on July 1 will be on where this summer's crops of UFAs will end up. However, a couple of superstars eligible to sign contract extensions on July 1 could draw attention from the usual frenzy of signings during the opening days of free agency.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will be entering the final season of his 12-year, $104.4-million contract. The 36-year-old center earns an average annual value of $8.7 million. 

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Drasaitl will also enter the final season of his eight-year, $68-million contract. His $8.5-million cap hit proved to be quite a bargain for the Oilers.

The Hockey News Pittsburgh's Nick Horwat noted a report that the Penguins are expected to extend his contract in July. He added that fans should expect Crosby to lead the team, no matter where they are in the standings, for the rest of his career.

The Athletic's Rob Rossi dismissed the notion that Crosby would force a trade by refusing to re-sign with the Penguins or bolt for greener pastures next summer via free agency. Despite the Penguins' decline, Rossi indicated that Crosby has stated publicly and privately several times that he intends to finish his career in Pittsburgh.

If the Penguins believe he can help them transition quickly into a playoff contender, a raise over his current cap hit is a must. Rossi speculates it could take a three-year extension worth $10 million annually to keep Crosby in the fold.

Draisaitl, meanwhile, has played a key role in the Oilers becoming a perennial playoff club. The Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson believes the 28-year-old forward wants to stay in Edmonton with Connor McDavid and help the Oilers win the Stanley Cup. The Hockey News Edmonton's Caleb Kerney added there's more pressure on the Oilers this season to go deep in the Stanley Cup playoffs this spring to improve his chances of wanting an extension.

Extending his contract, however, will cost the Oilers much more than it would for the Penguins to extend Crosby. Matheson thinks he could opt for a four-year deal or the league maximum of eight years. Either way, he doubts they'll get Draisaitl for less than $13 million annually.

Kerney cited TSN's Darren Dreger saying Draisaitl could be worth about 14 to 16 percent of the salary cap, which translates to about $12.27 million to $14.02 million next season. Dreger predicted the Oilers cannot afford to pay him those numbers and still fit in under the salary cap limit.

Matheson says the Oilers can't let Draisaitl depart as a free agent next July. They must know this summer if he intends to stay beyond next season. If not, Matheson speculates the Boston Bruins could move heaven and early to get Draisaitl. THN Boston's Michael DeRosa noted Draisaitl would be exactly who they need for their first-line center.