Gretzky got disgruntled and asked to be moved because of the Paul Coffey situation, he became very sour on Sather and Pocklington.
Could it be that Draisaitl is the Coffey. When the Oilers who are in cap hell can't make him the most expensive on the Oilers, because frankly he would be if he resigned, surpassing McDavids $12.5, at least temporarily.
Can you see the McDavid Press conference in a couple of years.
McDavid - "I promised Drai I wouldn't do this"
Que fake crocodile tear.
Lets be really clear here, even if Draisaitl does do a discount, the union is going to put tremendous pressure on him and his agent to set the next standard for star players until McDavid comes along and blows it away.