[stemit14]

Edmonton media like to assert that Edmonton is the only place Draisaitl and McDavid can stay together and compete… I don’t think that true. If anything, Edmonton is in a tougher spot to stay competitive during the next contracts with McDavid and Draisaitl because of their future cap problems with an already old team. And they don’t have much in the system to supplement the team with young, cost-controlled players. I think other teams with younger players on the upswing will be a better bet for McDavid and Draisaitl to stay competitive. I mentioned LA as a good example in the Byfield signing thread. They have both Byfield and Kempe on very reasonable deals. Kopitar and Doughty will either retire after their current contracts or likely sign team-friendly deals. They’ll have the cap space to sign McDavid and Draisaitl to big deals in 2025 and 2026 if they make it to free agency.

That’s just one example but I’m sure there are other teams that will be able to make a strong offer for them to be on the same team and stay competitive. Meanwhile, the oilers will be depending on players like RNH, Nurse and Hyman to be good players into their mid-30s.