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Draisaitl not feeling pressure after inking new contract this summer

Kelvin Kuo / USA TODAY Sports

Despite a hefty pay bump, Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl expects things to be business as usual.

The 21-year-old was on the ice with many of his teammates for an informal skate Tuesday, where he later stated that his new eight-year, $68-million contract won't add any more pressure than he's already been used to.

"There's always pressure really, it doesn't matter," Draisaitl told reporters. "Last year I had the pressure of it being my contract year and it's the same every year. For me it's not really a matter of the pressure too much. I want to live up to that contract and that's what I'm going to try and do."

Last season Draisaitl had a career year, capitalizing in the final year of his entry-level contract by putting up 29 goals and 77 points in 82 games, finishing second in both categories on the Oilers behind only Connor McDavid.

In the end Draisaitl got paid and his deal appears to have even set the tone for the market, as reports suggest Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak is seeking a similar deal.

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