Video Surfaces of Leon Draisaitl Chirping Oilers Coach in Locker Room After Being Benched

PUBLICATION

Liam McCormick
November 2, 2024 (11:55)

SHARE THIS STORY

A new video has emerged from inside the Edmonton Oilers locker room that shows Leon Draisaitl in full, an elite player and a team leader.

Draisaitl had a few games early this season where he was struggling to find his game. After taking a few penalties this year out of pure frustration, Knoblauch benched Draisaitl for a time in the Oilers game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The move seemed to wake Draisaitl up, as he went on to score the overtime winner.

It was the first Oilers win of the season, and after the game, Coach Knoblauch distributed the team's player of the game award. Knoblauch acknowledged Draisaitl was upset about the benching, but that he earned the award.

»I know he's f****** mad at me, but he f****** earned it tonight.»
- Coach Knoblauch on Leon Draisaitl

After the Oilers next win over the Nashville Predators, it was Draisaitl's turn to hand off the team award for best player. Draisaitl joked that he'd give it back to Knoblauch, but went with Kulak and his two goal night. The entire locker room was laughing at Draisaitl's chirp towards the coach.

Draisaitl's play did warrant him to be benched at the time, but his response on the ice and in the locker room is that of a great player who can hold himself accountable, and also make light of the situation. It's a professional's response from Draisaitl, and also one that brings the team together. It's a great example that if Draisaitl can be held accountable, then every other player can and will be too.

Each year a quality hockey team takes on a slightly different identity or mentality. Last year's Oilers were always comeback threats, never down and out of a game until the final buzzer. They can take some lessons from that year, but perhaps this year's identity could be accountability. Without Connor McDavid in the lineup, every Oiler needs to step up, and that's the kind of play that's required in the playoffs. It could be a great sign if the Oilers adopt this mentality now, and carry it with them all year.