Draisaitl's got just one year left on his deal with the Oilers, at $8.5 million so he's set to hit free agency before the 2025-26 season kicks off. The Sharks are looking to bolster their roster, with some hot prospects like Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini on deck to join the squad next year.
Sharks owner, Hasso Platner, is German, just like Draisaitl. So, there's already a bit of a connection brewing there. If they manage to seal the deal, Celebrini, Draisaitl, Smith, Eklund, Musty, and Zetterlund will be the hottest ticket in California.
Yes, the Sharks still have some holes to fill, especially on defense and in goal. They were the worst team in the NHL this year and just fired head coach David Quinn. Yet snagging a superstar like Draisaitl could be a game-changer. And with their own young guns coming up through the ranks, San Jose could become a hotbed for free agents to join a budding team.