Oilers Coach Knoblauch Identifies The Turning Point in Leon Draisaitl's MVP Level Season
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
Leon Draisaitl is on pace for an MVP caliber season this year, and after recording another two points against the Seattle Kraken last night, Coach Knoblauch spoke candidly about the turning point for Draisaitl.
Connor McDavid went down with an injury in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in late October. The Oilers thought the injury could've been more severe, and Draisaitl immediately stepped up.
Coach Knoblauch identified that exact game against Columbus, and the McDavid injury as a whole, as the turning point for Draisaitl dialling up his play this season.
»He's been at another level. It really started going back to that Columbus game, or shortly after that, where McDavid was hurt. He stepped up with McDavid's absence and he really hasn't looked back, he's put together a nice string of games.»
- Coach Knoblauch
- Coach Knoblauch
Even after the Oilers win over the Anaheim Ducks, Leon Draisaitl was still critical of his own play and recognizing that he can do better. He's proving to Edmonton that he's driven to be a game breaking superstar on his own, separate from Connor McDavid.
Fortunately McDavid was able to make a faster return from injury than expected, but Draisaitl clearly did hold on to that mentality, and it's driven an incredible level of play this season.
Two Possible Turning Points in Leon Draisaitl's MVP Level Season
Knoblauch is completely right to identify the McDavid injury as one possible turning point for Leon Draisaitl, but another one was the time the Oilers coach benched Draisaitl.
Draisaitl had taken an unacceptable penalty against the Philadelphia Flyers and was benched for a portion of the game. It must've worked wonders, because Draisaitl then didn't take a penalty for 30 games straight.
In every facet of the game, Leon Draisaitl is having a dominant season. His 29 goals leads the NHL, his defensive play is seeing a resurgence, and he's even got more points than Connor McDavid.
If this level of play keeps up, Draisaitl should be in the conversation - if not the favourite - for the Hart Trophy, and perhaps the Selke too. Oilers fans are incredibly lucky to witness such a great player having a great season.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 5 | 147 ANSWERS Oilers Coach Knoblauch Identifies The Turning Point in Leon Draisaitl's MVP Level Season Do you think Leon Draisaitl will win the Hart Trophy this season? | ||
| Yes | 120 | 81.6 % |
| No | 27 | 18.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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