Three days into September, a huge signing was made. The Edmonton Oilers and Leon Draisaitl agreed to a record extension earlier today.

The 28-year-old former Hart winner signed an eight-year contract extension worth $112 million. He was entering the final year of a deal that pays him $8.5 million.

By coming to terms with the Oilers, Draisaitl will become the league’s highest paid player next year. He’ll make $14 million per year, starting in 2025-26. By the time the contract concludes, Draisaitl will be 37.

It’s always a risk when a team signs a star player long-term into their mid 30s. We’ll see how it goes. The bigger storyline is how much teammate Connor McDavid will get. The game’s best player still has two years remaining on a contract that averages out to $12.5 million on the cap.

McDavid followed up a 32-goal, 100-assist, 132-point season by leading the postseason in scoring with a remarkable 42 points (8-34-42) to win the Conn Smythe. He nearly led a historic comeback. The Oilers came back from a 3-0 series deficit before losing the Stanley Cup to the Panthers in Game 7.

A three-time Hart winner and five-time Art Ross recipient, the 27-year-old McDavid has won almost everything. A Cup would cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats. He needs 18 points to reach 1,000 for his career. In just 645 games, he’s posted 335 goals and 647 assists for 982 points.

If Draisaitl can get $14 million, how much do you think McDavid will get? If he puts up over 150 points like he did in 2022-23, the Oilers could have to start with a higher number than they would like. Sixteen million might not get it done. Imagine McDavid approaching $18 million. It’ll depend on both the player and the cap.

The Oilers are entering a crucial year. After coming so close to winning a championship last June, expectations are through the roof. Featuring a roster that includes McDavid and Draisaitl as the big headliners, they also boast a strong nucleus. Zach Hyman, Ryan-Nugent Hopkins, Evander Kane, Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, Darnell Nurse, and Stuart Skinner all help make up a deep team.

With key additions Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson, that should improve their scoring. As if they need any more offense. They also were able to keep Adam Henrique, Mattias Janmark, Corey Perry, Connor Brown, and Derek Ryan. They let both Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg go to the St. Louis Blues. Each signed offer sheets that the Oilers didn’t match. Edmonton is hoping acquiring former Canuck Vasily Podkolzin can help offset the loss of Holloway.

On paper, they look pretty formidable. They’ll likely need a better season from Nurse. He has a $9.25 million cap hit. They can’t afford for him to be a liability.

With Draisaitl getting his raise, next in line is Bouchard. One of the game’s best offensive defensemen, he is making $3.9 million in 2024-25. He’ll become a restricted free agent next summer. The Oilers are going to have to pay a hefty price. Think between $9 and 10 million.

Training camps are over two weeks away. There are still key players unsigned. Most notably, the Red Wings’ Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. That’ll be interesting to watch.

Hockey is around the corner. It’s hard to believe.