Seravalli believes the Oilers have already begun discussions with Draisaitl, who will be eligible to sign an extension on July 1. Stauffer thinks Draisaitl will want to sign a long-term deal for the maximum possible money and Seravalli confirmed that to be the case.
Seravalli suggested a split of $16 million, $14 million, and $10 million respectively for McDavid, Draisaitl, and Bouchard's deals on a per-season basis. The NHL announced a salary cap increase of $4.5 million for the 2024-25 season, reaching $88 million. Assuming the cap goes up $4.5 million in each of the next two offseasons, that'd put it close ($97 million) to $100 million before the start of the 2026-27 campaign.
Stauffer thinks there is obviously a risk involved in inking three players to hefty deals taking nearly 40% of the whole team's salary cap, but he also believes locking up those three superstars is something that could certainly benefit the franchise. Seravalli agrees with Stauffer, he also thinks there is no other way for that trio to play together.
