Draisaitl embracing shutdown role for Edmonton Oilers: 'I can play any role'
Leon Draisaitl is quickly proving that he’s far more than just an elite offensive talent.
The Edmonton Oilers forward has been among the game’s best for many years when it comes to piling up points. The one critique of his game, however, had been his play away from the puck. The 29-year-old has seemingly taken that criticism to heart and is transforming into a very solid two-way forward right in front of our eyes.
From an offensive perspective, Draisaitl has been good, but not as elite as fans have become accustomed to. Through 10 games, he has managed five goals and 15 points. While those numbers aren’t as explosive as we’ve seen from the German superstar in years past, he’s finding a way to impact the game from a defensive standpoint.
Through the opening four games of the Oilers’ second-round series versus the Vegas Golden Knights, nobody has played more even-strength minutes against Jack Eichel than Draisaitl (35:25). It’s clear that this was a focus of Kris Knoblauch’s entering the series, and has proven to be the right call from the Oilers head coach.
Game 4 between the Oilers and Golden Knights saw Knoblauch look for Draisaitl to play an even bigger defensive role, as he was placed on what felt like a checking line alongside Kasperi Kapanen and Vasily Podkolzin.
Eichel, who logged 13:10 of even-strength minutes in Game 4, went up against Draisaitl more than any other Oiler on the night (8:37). Connor McDavid, meanwhile, played less than three minutes at even strength against the Golden Knights centre.
The move worked out brilliantly, as Eichel was held off the scoresheet for the first time in the series. He was also limited to just two shots in the outing.
“Leon is a very proud guy. He wants to be the best guy on the ice,” Knoblauch said. “Not too often a Rocket Richard Trophy winner, Hart Trophy winners, take a challenge of a shutdown role. His defensive details were really good tonight. He bought into that. He checked [Eichel] well, and he can also score, too.”
The buy-in on the defensive side is a perfect example of a maturing player at the NHL level. Draisaitl, now an 11-year veteran, is rounding out his game in a way few would have envisioned just a few seasons ago.
“I’d like to think I can play any role you give me. A challenge like that excites me,” Draisaitl told reporters at morning skate on Wednesday. “I feel like whenever I’ve been given a challenge like that I’ve always responded really well. I know I’m very capable of scoring goals and also defending really well and shutting someone down.
“Whatever it is I’m needed to do at this time of the year, I’ll gladly do it.”
Draisaitl will once again be centring his own line in Game 5. The Oilers will be looking for more of the same from him, particularly on the defensive side of the puck, as they look to eliminate the Golden Knights and advance to the Western Conference Final for the third time in four years.
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