McDavid injury - Upper Body, expected to miss 1-2 weeks.

[psycat]

Hey, maybe Kane can get some more ice-time now. Gotta see the positives in life.

 

[AvroArrow]

I'll be shocked if they win more than 1 game in that time, he was carrying the load offensively, and they were already struggling in that part. Bad goaltending, bad defence, no McDavid, unless Draisaitl can step up big time here I don't see them really being able to do much at all. They were struggling badly with him in the lineup, rough.

 

[AvroArrow]

This is where Draisatl needs to prove he is actually the 2nd best player in the world and not a product of McDavid.

He needs to be able to produce at 5 on 5 and without McDavid. Literally half of his points last year came off the PP with McDavid, being that dependent on the PP isn't gonna get it done.

The biggest challenge for him throughout his career has been even strength scoring, he was 67th overall last year in even strength goals, for the supposed 2nd best player in the world, that isn't even remotely close to good enough.

 

[The Management]

That's a shame.

Hockey is better when its stars are healthy. Hope he bounces back quickly.

I agree with those who suggested this might be an opportunity for Edmonton, in the sense that it's a chance for some of these other guys to carry the water and rally around their injured captain. If they falter, though, it might further the narrative (rightly or wrongly) that it's a two-person show.

 

[bobholly39]

He needs to be able to produce at 5 on 5 and without McDavid. Literally half of his points last year came off the PP with McDavid, being that dependent on the PP isn't gonna get it done.

The biggest challenge for him throughout his career has been even strength scoring, he was 67th overall last year in even strength goals, for the supposed 2nd best player in the world, that isn't even remotely close to good enough.

I don't get the constant obsession of differentiating between even strength points or power play points. In the end - what matters is that your top offense forwards produce - and Draisaitl produces. Maybe some years he scores more on pp vs EV, but so long as he scores that's what counts

He was #2 in even strength points in 2019-2020 when he won his art ross.
He's #2 in league in EV points over the past 4 years after McDavid
He is 2nd in league in EV points in playoffs in last 3 years (26 games less than Palat at #1)

Now I agree that Draisaitl needs to step up with McDavid injured. He did great back in 2020 when McDavid was out, in a small sample size. Let's see how he does now. But I could care less about even strength vs power play points - so long as he's getting points, he's producing.

 

[Oddbob]

What team is a Playoff team if you take out 2 of their best players and ~25% of their cap?

Plenty of teams. TB, COL and VEG have all made the playoffs with top guys missing major time. Sure there are others. Point is, EDM's depth is worse than people think because McDrai prop them up by a lot.

 

[daver]

I don't get the constant obsession of differentiating between even strength points or power play points. In the end - what matters is that your top offense forwards produce - and Draisaitl produces. Maybe some years he scores more on pp vs EV, but so long as he scores that's what counts

He was #2 in even strength points in 2019-2020 when he won his art ross.
He's #2 in league in EV points over the past 4 years after McDavid
He is 2nd in league in EV points in playoffs in last 3 years (26 games less than Palat at #1)

Now I agree that Draisaitl needs to step up with McDavid injured. He did great back in 2020 when McDavid was out, in a small sample size. Let's see how he does now. But I could care less about even strength vs power play points - so long as he's getting points, he's producing.

It is certainly questionable that Draisaitl is not as good as his numbers would indicate based on his inability to produce at ES; a thorn in the side of the Oilers come playoff time.

That being said, I don't think many believe he is the clear cut 2nd best player in the league so the other poster is throwing out a straw man.

It will be interesting to see how Drai, and the Oilers, fare if McDavid is out for a longer spell.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Turns 27 in 2.5 months

Lol, proved yourself wrong, congrats.

 

[Golden_Jet]

The vast majority comes from that PP tho

Lol, wrong again is that 3 strikes, in this thread.

 

[Optimist]

The Oilers are the LA Angels of the NHL. Two superstars and nothing else. Down to one now. Let's see if Leon can pad his stats all by himself now.

 

[AvroArrow]

I don't get the constant obsession of differentiating between even strength points or power play points. In the end - what matters is that your top offense forwards produce - and Draisaitl produces. Maybe some years he scores more on pp vs EV, but so long as he scores that's what counts

He was #2 in even strength points in 2019-2020 when he won his art ross.
He's #2 in league in EV points over the past 4 years after McDavid
He is 2nd in league in EV points in playoffs in last 3 years (26 games less than Palat at #1)

Now I agree that Draisaitl needs to step up with McDavid injured. He did great back in 2020 when McDavid was out, in a small sample size. Let's see how he does now. But I could care less about even strength vs power play points - so long as he's getting points, he's producing.

Much easier to score on a PP than even strength. If we're evaluating how good a player is, specifically offensively, playing with McDavid + loads of PP time will heavily inflate a players numbers.

Yes he produces on the PP, we all know that. But in terms of 5 on 5 production, he's not the clear cut #2 that people like to label him as.

Thing is McDavids speed draws a lot of penalties, I don't see the Oilers getting that many PP chances while he's out and I fully expect their PP percentage to be significantly lower without McDavid.

He was #2 in EVP in his art ross year, Panarin was #1

He's actually #3 in EVP (#20 in EVG) over the last 4 years, Matthews is #2. So Drai has 68 more points in that time frame with 4 fewer EVP than the #2.

The main point I was trying to make is, you can't be that dependent on the powerplay to win games or get you points. That's why even strength production matters. Especially with 97 missing time now, they'll have far fewer PP's and a much less efficient PP when they do get some opportunities. For example, literally almost 50% of his points last year came off the PP, it's just not an efficient/sustainable whatever you wanna call it, way to win games.

Maybe Draisaitl will step up though, he's done it before and he has carried his own line and team before. But it's going to be a challenge, they're off to a slow start.

It is certainly questionable that Draisaitl is not as good as his numbers would indicate based on his inability to produce at ES; a thorn in the side of the Oilers come playoff time.

That being said, I don't think many believe he is the clear cut 2nd best player in the league so the other poster is throwing out a straw man.

It will be interesting to see how Drai, and the Oilers, fare if McDavid is out for a longer spell.

Leon Draisaitl 3rd 110+ point season in 4 years...

This guy is a beast. Him and McDavid are the only active players with 3x110+ point seasons when there there is only one other player (ovie) who has more than one. In fact Drai and McDavid combined (6) have the same amount of of 110+ point seasons as the rest of the active NHL players combined...

forums.hfboards.com

Draisaitls 128 point campaign.

Only player in the past 30 years to average 1,6ppg over a full season besides Gretzky, Lemieux, Jagr and McDavid. That is what you call elite company. But...but..he's a by product of McDavid and can't drive his own line! /s. Pretty funny that some people still think that. That's how you know...

forums.hfboards.com

 

[daver]

Leon Draisaitl 3rd 110+ point season in 4 years...

This guy is a beast. Him and McDavid are the only active players with 3x110+ point seasons when there there is only one other player (ovie) who has more than one. In fact Drai and McDavid combined (6) have the same amount of of 110+ point seasons as the rest of the active NHL players combined...

forums.hfboards.com

Draisaitls 128 point campaign.

Only player in the past 30 years to average 1,6ppg over a full season besides Gretzky, Lemieux, Jagr and McDavid. That is what you call elite company. But...but..he's a by product of McDavid and can't drive his own line! /s. Pretty funny that some people still think that. That's how you know...

forums.hfboards.com

Wow, two people. I guess I was wildly off when I said "not many".

 

[Iggys Dome]

I assume he'll be back for the heritage classic on the 29th, unless it's worse than expected. So he should only miss two games.

 

[BWJM]

Looks like Evander Kane got his wish. Time to put the Oilers on your back. Chop chop.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

What does this mean for Canada?

 

[Oleksiak]

What does this mean for Canada?

He'll be ready to compete in the 3M springboard in Paris. Nothing to worry about.

 

[VivaLasVegas]

What does this mean for Canada?

We were going to move Canada to Houston anyway.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I assume he'll be back for the heritage classic on the 29th, unless it's worse than expected. So he should only miss two games.

I assume he will be back when he feels at or close to 100%. No sense rushing him back and having him reaggravate the injury which will make him miss more time. Nip it in the bud now. No use playing him if he is not healed.

 

[Nemesis Prime]

Draisaitl MVP Season Part 2 the Electric Boogaloo

 

[Suntouchable13]

So they are going to have to play a man short till he gets back as they are capped out? Yikes.

 

[PunchImlach is Alive]

Every year, huh? Funny that according to you it's every year but has only been played 6 times.

Canada is 6 years old

 

[kylbaz]

I'll be shocked if they win more than 1 game in that time, he was carrying the load offensively, and they were already struggling in that part. Bad goaltending, bad defence, no McDavid, unless Draisaitl can step up big time here I don't see them really being able to do much at all. They were struggling badly with him in the lineup, rough.

Going to see how bad this team really is.

 

[Duke74]

For a very small sample size, where he paced for 82 points. Let’s not act like he was amazing when McDavid was out, his point production still dropped

12 points in 6 games is more than 82 points over a full season. Maybe math isn't your strong suit.

 

[bambamcam4ever]

Been saying this for awhile. Take their 2 Elite guys and this is not a playoff team. Adding them makes them that, but everyone is talking like they are a contender. Obviously McDrai can take them far, but the rest of the team has lots of holes.

I assume that's true for most teams- that they wouldn't make the playoffs without their two best players

 

[Sniper99]

Crosby and Bedard get far more coverage

Maybe in his early days, Crosby got more coverage. Now? Highly doubt it. who do you think is the face of the league then if itts not McDavid