BREAKING NEWS: Edmonton Oilers Star Leon Draisaitl has shocked the National Hockey League (NHL) world with a selfless act that transcends the game of NHL. Upon signing his NHL contract, Leon Draisaitl made the bold and compassionate decision to donate his entire $113.5 million signing bonus to…view more

Edmonton Oilers Star Leon Draisaitl has shocked the NHL world by donating his entire \$113.5 million signing bonus.”* According to the claim, upon agreeing to his latest contract, Draisaitl pledged the full amount of his signing bonus to charity, transcending the typical philanthropic gestures seen in professional sports.

### What the Claim Says

* The story asserts that Draisaitl’s signing bonus (alleged at **\$113.5 million**) has been given in full to various charitable causes.
* It frames the act as unprecedented in NHL history, portraying it as more than a simple donation — rather, as a radical act of generosity tied directly to his contract.

### What the Verified Facts Show

After digging through credible sources (NHL.com, NHLPA announcements, and contract databases), here’s what is known — and what is *not* proven:

1. **Contract details**

* On **September 3, 2024**, Draisaitl signed an **8‑year extension** with the Edmonton Oilers worth **\$112 million USD**, at an average annual value of \$14 million. ([nhlpa.com][1])
* Of that total, a very large portion is structured as *signing bonuses*. One source claims about **\$104 million** of the \$112 million is in signing bonuses. ([Dose.ca][2])

2. **No credible evidence of full donation**

* There is **no reputable source** confirming that Draisaitl has donated his entire bonus (let alone \$113.5 million).
* There are no public statements from Draisaitl, his representation, or major NHL outlets to support the story in the headline.

3. **Actual charitable actions**

* What *is* verified is Draisaitl’s ongoing charitable giving. For example, he has donated **29 sets of hockey equipment** (per season, over two seasons) to his hometown youth team *Junghaie* in Cologne, Germany. ([NHL][3])
* He also has worked with the NHLPA Goals & Dreams program to help support youth hockey development in Germany. ([NHL][3])

### Why the Headline Likely Misleads

* **Incorrect numbers**: The headline uses “\$113.5 million” for the signing bonus, which doesn’t match the reported contract figures (the whole contract is \$112 million, with \~\$104 million in signing bonuses).
* **No confirmation of donation**: While Draisaitl is philanthropic, donating an entire signing‐bonus would be extremely unusual, and no credible evidence supports that he has done so.
* **Possible sources of misinformation**:

* Misinterpretation of contract terms (e.g., confusing “signing bonus” vs “guaranteed money” vs “base salary”).
* Intentional or unintentional exaggeration in social media or less reliable outlets.

### What If It Were True — Implications

If Draisaitl *did* donate his entire signing bonus, the implications would be profound:

* **Financial**: It would be one of the single largest charitable gifts by an NHL athlete.
* **Taxation**: Such donations often come with complex tax effects, depending on how they are structured and where the beneficiary organizations are located.
* **Public perception**: It would elevate Draisaitl’s reputation even more — not just as an elite athlete, but as a major philanthropist and moral example.

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## Conclusion

So far, there is **no credible evidence** that Leon Draisaitl has donated his entire signing bonus anywhere close to \$113+ million. The headline appears to be **false or heavily exaggerated**. Draisaitl *has* shown generosity — especially toward youth hockey in his home region — but nothing to support