Like bellybuttons, it seems that everyone has an opinion about gifted Edmonton Oilers centre Leon Draisaitl. This has been especially so during the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final. Therefore, some of these opinions we will touch on include the following
- He should have been suspended for his Game 2 hit on Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov.
- He’s a whiner, not a winner.
- He’s underperforming when it counts the most.
- He will test free agency at the end of his contract next summer.
First up Regarding Leon Draisaitl’s 2024 Playoffs and Avoiding Suspension
Florida Panthers media and fans were outraged when Draisaitl avoided suspension. After delivering a high hit to the jaw of Panthers forward Sasha Barkov during the third-period play of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, Panthers followers thought he should have been disciplined.
The hit occurred midway through the third period, with less than 10 minutes to play and the Panthers leading the game 2-1. Draisaitl came over the Panthers blueline, and collided with the Panthers’ captain, his elbow connecting with his jaw. Barkov immediately fell to the ice, clearly injured, and was unable to return to the game. Draisaitl was given a two-minute penalty for the hit. The Panthers ultimately went on to win the game 4-1. Panthers players, media, and fans were understandably concerned over losing Barkov for any length of time. He is their captain, arguably the best player, and a Frank J. Selke Trophy finalist. The award is given annually to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.
Objectively, Draisaitl’s hit hardly merited further discipline. While the hit was high and connected with Barkov’s jaw, the right penalty was assessed on the ice. Draisaitl’s arms were low and his elbows in tight to his body when the hit occurred. If New York Rangers Jacob Trouba didn’t get any supplementary discipline for his elbow on Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues during their May 26th Eastern Conference Final Game 3, there was little to no chance Draisaitl would be disciplined for a much less egregious hit. The league standard had been set. In this case, in this game, for this penalty, the right call was made.
HE’S A WHINER!
Based on what they have seen in the playoffs, the Florida media accuses Leon Draisaitl of being a whiner. If so, the accusation puts him in good company. For example, imagine placing yourself in the Calgary Saddledome through NHL games in the 1980s and watching Flames fans chanting that Oiler great Wayne Gretzky was a whiner. That was a clear case of “sour grapes.”
Of course, Draisaitl is not Gretzky. He has never won a Stanley Cup, yet anyway. But he is arguably, one of the top-five players in the world’s best league. And Leon Draisaitl’s history in the playoffs show that he is the antithesis of a whiner. One only has to look at his last two playoffs.
Example #1
In Game 6 of the 2022 first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, Kings defenceman Mikey Anderson introduced the star German to North American rodeo steer wrestling well after the play was over. Anderson body-slammed him to the ice during a post-whistle scrum. The tackle gave Draisatl a high-ankle sprain. High ankle sprains are one of the most painful and slow-healing injuries, worse even than a break. The high ankle sprain severely limited Draisaitl’s mobility, yet he still managed to tally seven goals and 25 assists in 16 playoff games.
Despite the severity of the injury, Draisaitl declined to officially confirm the news. He left that up to Oilers General Manager Ken Holland during his end-of-season media availability. Far from “whining,” Draisaitl said he “wouldn’t make it about me” when so many players fought through ailments.
Example #2
In Game 4 of the second-round 2023 playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights, Knights defenceman Alex Pietrangelo brutally slashed Leon Draisaitl. The incident happened with just over a minute left in the third period, well after Draisaitl had taken a shot at the empty Golden Knights net. Pietrangelo skated up to Draisaitl and delivered a forceful two-handed slash to Draisaitl’s arm, earning him a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct.
Instead of whining, Draisaitl just skated by the Golden Knights bench and told them it didn’t matter. They couldn’t hurt him. In fact, he didn’t miss a shift. Instead, he just went on to outperform his regular season stats again. Indeed, it was only the next season, during a regular season game, that Draisaitl mocked Pietrangelo’s slash. He did so by faking a similar one on Pietrangelo’s arm to show him that while it wasn’t forgotten, he was intent on playing, not retaliating.
Depending on your point of view, Draisaitl is either arrogant or confident, but confidence is a must in professional sports. You can’t get that far without having unshakeable faith in yourself. What he isn’t, is a whiner.
What About Opinions on Leon Draisaitl’s Playoffs Based on Injury
Draisaitl had impressive scoring statistics during the first three rounds of this year’s playoffs. That has dried up in this final series against the Panthers. Edmonton sports radio hosts, such as Allan Mitchell on Lowedown With Lowe Tide, speculates that he is once again playing injured. That is backed up by the facts. Draisaitl, along with fellow Oilers Darnell Nurse and Evander Kane has been taking numerous “maintenance days” while the rest of the team practices. Both Kane and Nurse have had to miss gametime against the Panthers due to the injuries. On the other hand, Draisaitl hasn’t.
Yes, Draisaitl’s scoring is down against the Panthers. In contrast, his defensive play has blossomed. As befits a centre, he is the first man back in the defensive zone and has dramatically altered his style of play. Gone are the risky, blind behind-the-back passes at either blue line. They are replaced with sound defensive play. Asked by an Edmonton sportswriter at the start of the playoffs if it killed him a little bit each time he had to dump the puck instead of making plays, Draisaitl answered with one word: “Yes.” And yet, he keeps doing it. Because he knows that’s what it takes to win in the playoffs.
A Scary Rumour for Oiler Fans, Draisaitl Won’t Re-Sign
Draisatl has one year left on his current Oilers contract. Rumors are out there that he won’t re-sign, tying him to the German owner of the San Jose Sharks. This was only exacerbated by Draisaitl’s comment that he was “going to do what’s best for me” when asked about his plans in an Edmonton press conference back in January.
Don’t count on that meaning he will seek out greener pastures. Mitchell calls Draisaitl and fellow superstar Connor McDavid the “glimmer twins.” The two go together like schnitzel and walleye, Apfelstrudel and beavertails. They are best friends. They holiday together in the offseason. Don’t be surprised to see Draisaitl as McDavid’s best man at his upcoming wedding. Edmonton is likely the only place where salary-cap restrictions will allow them to play together.
This year’s Stanley Cup Final appearance has only whetted their appetite to win Cups. McDavid left obvious money on the table in his last contract in order to leave cap space to build a team around him. Draisaitl’s current contract was considered an overpay by former Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli but has turned into probably the league’s best bargain. Both could well repeat the process again, either to win their first Cup or continue the first of many.
Our Last Word on the Final Verdicts
Was Draisaitl’s hit on Barkov suspendable? Nope. Is he a winner or a whiner? Winner. Moreover, does Draisaitl underperform when it counts the most? No, again. Underscoring, but this is highly likely due to injury and he compensating by contributing mightily on the other side of the puck. Finally, on his future in Edmonton. He will re-sign, not resign. Stay tuned to watch Draisaitl and his Oilers, as puck drop on Game 6 of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final series vs the Panthers happens tonight at 6 PM local time (8 PM Eastern Daylight Time) from what will surely be a raucous Rogers Place.
Main photo credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
