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Coach Knoblauch Admits Leon Draisaitl Mistake Led To Edmonton Oilers Loss
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers RAW
The Edmonton Oilers dropped a hard fought battle against the Vegas Golden Knights by a score of 1-0, and after the game, Coach Knoblauch highlighted a mistake from Leon Draisaitl but still absolved the Oilers star from any blame.
Leon Draisaitl attempted a quick tap-pass at the blueline, and it resulted in a direct turnover that led to Vegas's only goal of the game.
Instead of ripping Draisaitl for the mistake though, Coach Knoblauch instead encouraged him to keep making skill plays like that, because it's what makes him an elite player.
It's a play that I've seen executed many times. If that redirection is another foot in another area we probably have a good quality shot. It's probably one he wants back but it happens. Sometimes you have to accept that mistakes are going to happen.
There was a mistake on that goal but with the amount of opportunities he creates, it's not always going to be perfect If you have players never making mistakes they're probably never creating much.
- Coach Knoblauch
There was a mistake on that goal but with the amount of opportunities he creates, it's not always going to be perfect If you have players never making mistakes they're probably never creating much.
- Coach Knoblauch
This message from Knoblauch is absolutely the right one to convey to a star player like Leon Draisaitl, and also Connor McDavid of course.
The superstars need to have the freedom and opportunity from the coach to try everything they can to create scoring chances. After signing a $14M annual contract, Draisaitl should have free rein to try any drop passes.
Especially in a 1-0 game, a turnover on an offensive play from Draisaitl can't be the only reason the Oilers lost. They didn't score, which is trending to become a surprising problem for the Edmonton Oilers. Outside of McDavid and Draisaitl this season, no other Oilers forward has scored even 5 goals.
It was an unfortunate mistake for Leon Draisaitl that was amplified because of the 1-0 shutout loss, but it's a play that he needs to be encouraged to make more often than not.
It's great that Coach Knoblauch defended his superstar, and is sending the message to the Oilers stars to do what makes them great.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 4 | 54 ANSWERS Coach Knoblauch Admits Leon Draisaitl Mistake Led To Edmonton Oilers Loss Do you think that Coach Knoblauch is right to send this message to Leon Draisaitl and the Oilers? | ||
| Yes | 33 | 61.1 % |
| No | 20 | 37 % |
| See Results | 1 | 1.9 % |
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