TSN simply launched a mid-season rating of the highest 50 gamers in 2019-20. Naturally, the Edmonton Oilers’ god-like, all-mighty Connor McDavid ranks as primary, whereas Leon Draisaitl takes the fourth spot. No. 29’s rating prompted naysayers to complain that he’s solely good as a result of he performs with McDavid.
McDavid’s on-ice magic has by no means been a secret—he produces neverending highlight-reel performs and makes one of the best defencemen (gazing you Morgan Rielly) appear to be they belong within the American Hockey League. The Oilers’ celebrity may also heal from knee accidents with out the assistance of surgical procedure or the tear of a phoenix. Magical. He deserves the primary rating for a lot of apparent causes.
Then there’s Draisaitl. To Oilers followers, he’s the German Gretzky. To hockey followers outdoors of Edmonton, he’s McDavid’s wingman.
Draisaitl is clearly greater than McDavid’s sidekick, and he’s good as a result of he’s good. With 75 factors on the season to this point, it’s apparent that the 24-year-old deserves the fourth spot on that listing.
Draisaitl Was the Oilers’ Greatest Participant on the Begin of the Season
In the beginning of the season, Draisaitl proved—but once more—that he’s participant with or with out McDavid. No. 29 dominated in October. You possibly can inform that he was driving the performs on the ice. In the meantime, the Oilers’ captain grew to become the second-best participant in Edmonton (he nonetheless had an outstanding opening month).
Edmonton Oilers middle Leon Draisaitl (Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports activities)
Bruce Mccurdy from The Edmonton Journal wrote, “However even the wondrous McDavid has to take a again seat, not less than for now, to the spectacular feats of Leon Draisaitl, who grew to become the primary NHLer to attain 25-plus factors in October since Gretzky scored 29 for the Kings means again in 1993. The primary in 1 / 4 century!” (from ‘Leon Draisaitl’s dominant October takes its place among the many greatest in Edmonton Oilers’ historical past’, The Edmonton Journal – 2/11/19)
Was Draisaitl good due to McDavid at first of the season? Nope. The Edmonton Journal shared that the proficient German was on the ice for 20 of the Oilers’ 29 even-strength targets via the primary 14 video games, and he was the one participant to tally 12 even-strength factors within the first month. He was concerned in 61% of the Oilers’ targets at this level. And No. 97? A “measly” 56%.
Once you have a look at stats now, 49 video games into the season, McDavid has 76 factors, and Draisaitl has 75 factors. In the meantime, Zack Kassian, a turtle-destroying god in his personal proper, has performed with McDavid on a constant foundation within the 2019-20 season. Does he have 75 factors? The scary (in accordance with Matthew Tkachuk) six-foot-three winger has 28 factors in 44 video games. He’s having an incredible season, however his totals don’t examine to No. 29.
My level? Draisaitl’s good as a result of he’s Draisaitl.
Why Don’t We Say Marchand Is Solely Good Due to Pastrnak or Marner Due to Matthews?
It’s mainly the identical factor, isn’t it? Simply because McDavid is one of the best participant on the earth, doesn’t imply that Draisaitl collects secondhand factors like a youthful sibling collects secondhand garments. During the last two seasons, McDavid and Draisaitl have been twins—they each dominate. (Though, McDavid is unquestionably the first-born twin.)
Who’re another metaphorical twins spanning the NHL? Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, and Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Let’s convey out some stats, we could?
Toronto Maple Leafs proper wing Mitchell Marner and Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)
Marner, of his 38 video games performed, has 24 factors with Matthews, amounting to 51% of his totals. In the meantime, 61% of Draisaitl’s factors have been with McDavid. You assume that’s excessive? Oh, simply you wait.
70% of Marchand’s factors have been with Pastrnak. Why isn’t anybody saying that these two pairings aren’t good with out the opposite? My, oh my.
Draisaitl Can Do It All
You need somebody to kill penalties? Rating targets? Create scoring possibilities? Command the ice in time beyond regulation? Unleash deadly pictures on the ability play? Simply name on Draisaitl. He can do all of it!
Within the 2019-20 season, he has not solely been a key half to each even-strength and energy play possibilities, however he may also help out on the penalty kill (PK), too. Thus far, the versatile celebrity has logged 48:01 on the PK and has gained 44.62% of faceoffs.
Edmonton Oilers Leon Draisaitl and Boston Bruins Zdeno Chara (AP Photograph/Michael Dwyer)
However, McDavid has totalled simply 9:31 on the PK. It doesn’t appear to be Draisaitl wants the captain holding his hand whereas he kills penalties, does it?
Be careful for the Oilers’ Second Line
Ever since Kailer Yamamoto graced Edmonton together with his presence, Draisaitl has discovered himself on a spectacular second line with out McDavid. From Dec. 31 to now, Draisaitl has notched 14 factors. And get this: McDavid has solely been part of 5 of these factors.
It’s apparent that Draisaitl can play on his personal line, and he can survive the NHL with out one of the best participant on the earth. He deserves the mid-season rating because the fourth-best participant within the league proper now!
