Oilers' Have the Best $8-Million Player in the NHL
This Edmonton Oilers forward is one of the best in the game today and is one of the best value contracts in the league.
There is no disputing that Connor McDavid is the best player on the Edmonton Oilers roster. For good reason as he scored nearly at a two points per game pace in the 2022-23 regular season. Sometimes you are convinced that he isn't human with how he moves around the ice, or creates high danger scoring chances on a whim.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg in regards to the talent that this team possesses. One player who doesn't nearly get the credit he deserves - despite having one of the best contracts in the league, is Leon Draisaitl.
There are a collection of hockey fans who harp on Draisaitl for his seemingly lack of defensive commitment. As I watched the 2023 Playoffs I did not see this from him. He was assertive and commanding with the puck. Regardless of his defensive imperfections, he is one of the best offensive players in the league and brings astronomical value due to his absolute steal of a contract.
He's Produced Way More Than His Peers
Draisaitl was second in league scoring this year behind only McDavid. He produced 128 points in 80 games played. That's good for 1.6 points per game (p/gp). In four of the last five seasons he has scored at least 100 points. In 2019-20, which is the only season he didn't hit 100 points, he still lead the league in scoring with 110 points in 71 games. For that COVID-shortened season he took home the Art Ross Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award.
In those four 100-point seasons he has been a top five point producer in the league. Put another way, in the past five seasons Draisaitl is second in the league in scoring with 537 points in 369 games. He is second behind only McDavid (594 points in 360 games). Rounding out the top five are Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon with 456 points (335 games), New York Rangers' Artemi Panarin with 428 points (347 games), and Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner with 424 points (348 games).
Draisaitl's currently entering the seventh year of his eight-year contract that has a $8.5-million cap hit. The list of players that make more than him is quite long and includes: MacKinnon, David Pastrnak, Matthew Tkachuk, Mikko Rantanen, Erik Karlsson, Mitch Marner, Brayden Point, Sidney Crosby, Artemi Panarin, Auston Matthews, Jeff Skinner, John Tavares, Dylan Larkin, Aleksander Barkov, Jamie Benn and Jack Eichel, just to name a few.
It's tough to argue about what Draisaitl has brought to the Oilers. His play style is tailor-made for the playoffs. He gives the Oilers an additional offensive weapon who anchors his own line and gives the opposing team a real headache for trying to find the right match-ups to defend against them. He is a superstar who would be the best player on every single other NHL team - and he only costs the Oilers $8.5-million.
Related: Oilers 2023 Off-Season Guide