Oilers Announcers Question Referee Bias Against Leon Draisaitl That Fans Have Noticed For Years
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
Oilers fans that have watched the games for years have seen Leon Draisaitl get thrown out of the faceoff circle at a higher rate than anyone else, and last game, the Oilers announcers raised the concern once again.
As Draisaitl was kicked out of the faceoff dot again, Jack Michaels and Louie DeBrusk made a joke that it was his 20,000th ejection.
Some Oilers fans and media have even claimed there's something foul with the ref's treatment of Draisaitl on the draws.
»I covered hockey for 35+ years. I played at a decent level. I was even also a linesman at one point. I am telling you, something here smells. If I were the Oilers I would be crying foul.»
- Kurt Leavins, Edmonton Journal
- Kurt Leavins, Edmonton Journal
Are Referees Biased Against Leon Draisaitl On Faceoffs?
Leon Draisaitl has been the best Oiler at faceoffs over the last few seasons and the player used most frequently on the Oilers instead of Connor McDavid - but Draisaitl still isn't one of the best players in the league on the draws.
According to Statmuse, this season Draisaitl has taken the 5th most faceoffs in the league, but he only has the 19th best faceoff percentage among players with over 100 faceoffs taken. The reality is, Draisaitl is sometimes going up against faceoff specialists better than him, too.
On faceoffs, coaches will sometimes say that if you're not cheating, you're not trying. Draisaitl may just be over-aggressive on the faceoff dot trying to beat out some talented players.
Last season, one mic'd up clip of Draisaitl emerged pleading his case with the referees after being thrown out of the draws. Draisaitl seems to admit a little bit to cheating and seems to be trying to remedy things with the referee.
Do you understand where I'm coming from? In the offensive zone, so if I'm in the offensive zone, he's down, you guys have to let the offensive side at least get set. You know what I mean? If you're set, and I go like this, and you throw it, of course I'm gonna jump.
-Leon Draisaitl
-Leon Draisaitl
At the end of the day, it's not the biggest deal if Draisaitl isn't one of the best faceoff men in the NHL. He's an elite player playing some of the best hockey of his career right now.
The ultra-attention to details like faceoffs is a testament to how educated Oilers fans are about the game, but everyone also recognizes that this is one of the best players in the NHL regardless or in spite of faceoffs.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 15 | 183 ANSWERS Oilers Announcers Question Referee Bias Against Leon Draisaitl That Fans Have Noticed For Years Do you think referees are biased against Leon Draisaitl on faceoffs? | ||
| Yes, I've seen it | 147 | 80.3 % |
| No, that's ridiculous | 26 | 14.2 % |
| See Results | 10 | 5.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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