SPORTS

Edmonton Oilers sign centre Leon Draisaitl to 8-year extension

The Canadian Press Published Wednesday, August 16, 2017 2:32PM EDT

Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates a goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period in game six of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Edmonton on May 7, 2017. (Jason Franson/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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EDMONTON - The Edmonton Oilers have signed centre Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of US$8.5 million.

The extension starts this coming season and goes through the 2024-25 campaign, running mostly concurrently with the eight-year, $100-million extension star captain Connor McDavid signed with the club in July. McDavid's extension will come into effect after he finishes his entry-level deal this season.

With the signing, the Oilers are banking heavily on McDavid and Draisaitl providing a potent one-two punch for the club as it looks to build on last season's return to the playoffs after a decade of futility.

Draisaitl, a 21-year-old German, had 77 points (29 goals, 48 assists) last season, his third in the NHL.

He finished eighth among NHL scorers, and second on the Oilers behind McDavid.

He also led the Oilers in scoring during the 2017 playoffs, posting 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 13 games.