Oilers coach Knoblauch sends a strong message to entire NHL on Leon Draisaitl
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
Leon Draisaitl has been the best player on the Edmonton Oilers this season, even above McDavid, and coach Knoblauch is sending the message that he deserves the MVP and Selke Trophies.
Draisaitl has been nominated as a candidate for the MVP officially, but earns less praise for his defensive game which has come a long way this season.
Oilers coach tells NHL Leon Draisaitl deserves Hart Trophy, Selke consideration
Speaking to media today, Coach Knoblauch heavily went to bat for his superstar center, insisting that he deserves the Hart Trophy for MVP and suggesting the Selke for best defensive forward too.
Draisaitl has been a beast of a two way player all season, and could still very well win the Hart Trophy despite missing 11 games with injury. He still led the NHL in goals by 7, and was third in total scoring with 106 points.
The most impressive part of Draisaitl's offensive production this season was his linemates playing with him all year - Vasily Podkolzin and Viktor Arvidsson didn't exactly light it up, but Draisaitl created offence by himself.
Draisaitl also believes he could win Hart and Selke trophies
His offensive success this year was incredible, but his defensive play was also at another level. Earlier this season, Draisaitl said he's taken pride in elevating his defensive game in spite of critics who call him a one way player.
FRIEDMAN: There's a player on another team who said, that obviously you got a good chance to win the Hart Trophy, but you might deserve to win the Selke too. Would that be important to you?
DRAISAITL: Almost more important than any other trophy at this point of time. There's been a lot of chat about when we were younger, we can't defend, and that reason we don't win is because Connor and I can't defend or don't defend. I think we've really changed that narrative around the league.
DRAISAITL: Almost more important than any other trophy at this point of time. There's been a lot of chat about when we were younger, we can't defend, and that reason we don't win is because Connor and I can't defend or don't defend. I think we've really changed that narrative around the league.
Tonight, Draisaitl and the Oilers will only have one focus: eliminating the Vegas Golden Knights on the road. After the season though, hopefully with a Stanley Cup, Draisaitl can also celebrate a Hart Trophy.
| POLL | ||
MAI 14 | 673 ANSWERS Oilers coach Knoblauch sends a strong message to entire NHL on Leon Draisaitl Do you think Draisaitl could win a Selke trophy in his career? | ||
| Yes | 619 | 92 % |
| No | 54 | 8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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