Relaxation simple, Oil Nation. It’s going to by no means occur once more.
That is the final time the solar will rise above Edmonton on the morning after town’s beloved NHL crew—fueled by the helmeted model of Batman and Robin, aka Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl—has been eradicated from the playoffs.
The newest springtime disappointment was made official Monday night time, when the Florida Panthers beat the Oilers, 2-1, in Recreation 7 of their first Stanley Cup Closing look since 2006, which additionally resulted in a seven-game loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
It is the sixth time the Dynamic Duo has fallen in need of a parade limo’s soar seat, following first-round losses to Chicago and Winnipeg, earlier second-rounders in opposition to Anaheim and Vegas, and a blissful albeit fruitless journey to the third spherical in opposition to Colorado that resulted in a sweep two springs in the past.
We will definitively say right here, although, that there will not be a seventh.
There isn’t any likelihood.
However in all probability not for a motive that’ll make the “Metropolis of (Lengthy-In the past) Champions” smile.
As a result of relatively than the fits within the nook places of work lastly quelling angst and delivering rings by addressing continual points with depth scoring, inconsistent protection and porous goaltending, it’s miles extra doubtless that the “Why cannot we win with 97 and 29?” query will likely be put out of its distress by one of many principals himself.
“Boy Surprise” will not be there.
For these unaware, this playoff exit ended the penultimate season on an eight-year deal the prolific German, now 28, signed as a precocious 21-year-old.
And given the 5 100-point and three 50-goal seasons Draisaitl’s produced since inking the extension—to not point out the scoring title and MVP he is received—he’ll be searching for a gargantuan bump from the common $8.5 million wage he is been bringing house since.
It isn’t an unfair expectation.
Contemplating that of the six NHL gamers with greater than 106 factors in 2023-24, none had a smaller cap hit. And just one participant league-wide, his crusading teammate within the blue-and-orange cape, has extra factors for the reason that contract took impact in 2017.
Draisaitl is second, once more to McDavid, in factors per playoff sport (1.80 to 1.53 by means of Recreation 6) over that very same stretch, effectively forward of Nathan MacKinnon (1.28) in third and even additional forward of Mikko Rantanen (1.25) and Nikita Kucherov (1.23) in fourth and fifth.
And his profession playoff level whole (108) is sweet for third total since 2016-17, although it is are available far fewer postseason video games (73) than the one non-teammate forward of him—Kucherov—who’s performed 102, whereas Rantanen and MacKinnon have performed 81 apiece.
The distinction?
These different three guys, with 4 Cups amongst them, averaged $12 million in 2023-24.
So, to label Draisaitl—the sixth-highest-paid participant within the sequence with the Panthers—as one of the best famous person discount in sports activities is hardly hyperbolic.
It is a truth.
It is one other truth, or a sequence of them, that’ll make it untenable for him to remain put.
Although the wage cap figures to swell at typical charges, there merely aren’t sufficient {dollars} to cowl what Draisaitl would warrant whilst a “hometown low cost,” contemplating the Oilers are nonetheless smarting from the $9.25 million dents Darnell Nurse will depart by means of 2030 and the $5 million outlays to AHL starter Jack Campbell till June 2027.
Ten gamers of various import are due at no cost company to come back this July alone, which means any vital elevate for Draisaitl would come on the expense of the elements that helped finish the most recent “Cup or bust” run. And that is not even contemplating the stash of money that’ll be wanted to even entice McDavid to stay round when his deal’s accomplished in 2026.
However let’s face it, there’s an important likelihood Draisaitl will not need to keep anyway.
Although he and McDavid do not publicly appear lower than contented kittens and have not strayed removed from the “we need to win right here” firm line, the identical can’t be stated of Draisaitl’s relationship with the rabid Edmonton media. He was famously branded “pissy” in a snit with Corridor of Fame author Jim Matheson two years in the past and infrequently presents as impatient and disinterested together with his position as a crew spokesman.
Whereas writers in New York, Boston, Philly and elsewhere would pose a day by day problem with aggressive questioning, the mix of a change of surroundings, an enormous contract windfall and the prospect to make an actual run as a C-1 relatively than 1-A nonetheless make a farewell press convention at Rogers Place appear extra a cinch than a protracted shot.
That is why it will really feel extra like rebranding than retooling for the Oilers subsequent winter (or sooner) once they come to grips together with his imminent exit and attempt to recoup pennies on the greenback in return, successfully ending probably the most maddening period in franchise historical past.
Although remembering legends Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier leaving city on one-sided exchanges stays troublesome for these of a sure age, their jerseys have been in the end raised to the rafters alongside the 5 championship banners they helped procure.
Within the case of Draisaitl and McDavid, whereas the stats are equally heady and the Corridor of Fame plaques assured, the long-term sentiments will likely be far much less satisfying.
Bamboozling by the likes of Darcy Kuemper and Adin Hill to allow expert however much less dynamic Nazem Kadri and Mark Stone varieties a jewellery becoming was troublesome sufficient. However realizing there’s a superb opportunity a preeminent pairing like 97 and 29 won’t ever discover its approach to northern Alberta once more makes this Final Dance reboot much more angsty.
Evan Rodrigues. Sasha Barkov. Thanks, Oilers followers. Drive house safely.
In the meantime, one of the best one-two punch in hockey—actually recently and perhaps ever—shakes arms, presents cliches and makes plans for a midweek locker-cleaning.
No Cup.
Simply busted.