Selected third overall by Edmonton in the 2014 NHL Draft, Leon Draisaitl quickly made history as the top-scoring German-born player in the NHL, overtaking Marco Sturm in just his seventh season. Sturm, now the coach of the Boston Bruins, praised Draisaitl, stating, “He’s the best German player to ever play the game. He’ll hit many milestones ahead.”
Draisaitl is undeniably one of today’s elite players. Last season, he clinched the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy with 52 goals, leading the league. In 2019-20, he was recognized as the NHL’s most valuable player, also winning the Ted Lindsay Award and the Art Ross Trophy by amassing 110 points in just 71 games.
In his first 11 seasons, Draisaitl has recorded at least 50 goals four times and surpassed 100 points six times. Notably, he achieved a personal best of 128 points (52 goals, 76 assists) in the 2022-23 season. Since the 2018-19 season, he has accumulated 796 points (341 goals, 455 assists) in 555 games, second only to his teammate Connor McDavid, who leads with 882 points in fewer games.
McDavid has high praise for Draisaitl, saying, “He does it every year, both offensively and defensively. His hard work is evident day-to-day. It’s no surprise he reached these milestones so quickly.” This dedication is a key element of Draisaitl’s success.
Currently, Draisaitl has 47 points (17 goals, 30 assists) in just 34 games this season. He ranks fifth in Oilers history for points, closing in on Mark Messier’s 1,034 and Jari Kurri’s 1,043. McDavid stands second with 1,138 points while Wayne Gretzky leads with 1,669 points. Draisaitl is also just one goal away from tying Glenn Anderson for third in the team’s history.
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch highlights Draisaitl’s importance to the team: “He excels in regular-season and playoff success, scoring clutch goals. Yet, he doesn’t get enough credit for his defensive skills, which are remarkable.”
This blend of offensive prowess and dedication to improving his overall game sets Draisaitl apart. According to a recent NHL study, only a small percentage of players consistently achieve such high point totals while also maintaining strong defensive capabilities. As Draisaitl continues his career, many analysts expect even more milestones and accolades in his future.
For more on Draisaitl’s impressive journey and statistics, visit the NHL’s official site. This deeper look into his achievements shows that his impact on the game goes beyond just numbers; he is shaping the future of hockey.
