Draisaitl claps back at Edmonton sports show after they criticized Oilers' leadership
For all content creators out there, this is a lesson that you never know who will be watching, reading, or listening.
An Edmonton sports show was just reminded of that this week.
On Friday, Edmonton Sports Talk posted a clip to their Instagram page where they discussed leadership, or lack thereof, among Edmonton Oilers players.
“Do you think leadership is an issue with this hockey team?” co-host Jason Milne asked.
After a pause, co-host Tom Gazzola answered: “Yes.”
“I’m glad you answered honestly,” Milne said, “because I don’t know how you could look at this and say that there’s not a leadership issue.”
The Oilers’ leadership was being called into question due to the fact that the team sits 25th overall in the NHL standings. Their five regulation wins are also the worst mark in the league.
“At this point, the guys that are the leaders of this team should have the ability to drag everyone into the fight with them,” Gazzola said.
“That element hasn’t happened yet.”
The Instagram posting of the clip prompted a reply from one of the Oilers’ leaders, Leon Draisaitl.
— Rebound (@OilersRebound) November 28, 2025
He replied with a simple “lol.”
After his comment on the post, Oilers fans were largely running to his defence.
“You know a take is bad when the actual player comments on the post,” one fan said.
“You shouldnāt question the leadership of a group thatās been to back-to-back Cup finals and has been down in series countless times and still wins them, even with issues,” another fan said. “They have an excellent leadership group. Donāt diss them. Iām with you [Draisaitl].”
The German superstar has been up to his usual dominance this season, leading the Oilers with 14 goals in 29 games. Connor McDavid is right up there as well, sitting second in league-scoring with 34 points.
However, it’s the same old issues with the Oilers, who lack secondary scoring and good goaltending.
Their overall play at even-strength has taken a dip this year compared to the past, as they rank 21st overall in both expected goals for and expected goals against. Their penalty kill, ironically, also ranks 21st overall.
The Oilers aren’t strangers to slow starts. A brutal beginning to the 2023-24 season led to the firing of Jay Woodcroft and the hiring of Kris Knoblauch.
Even last season at the 25-game mark, they were 13-10-2, tying them for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Although their 2025-26 record is worse than last year at this point, the Oilers are still only two points out of a playoff spot.