Leon Draisaitl calls out multiple changes Oilers need to make this offseason
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers Raw
The Edmonton Oilers spoke to the media for the last time this season at locker room cleaning day, where Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid both called on the front office to make specific moves.
Connor McDavid also spoke at length about his contract situation, as he's eligible to re-sign on July 1st. By all accounts the Oilers captain will stay in Edmonton, but he said he's in no rush to sign a new deal.
Leon Draisaitl calls on From Office for specific changes, McDavid for Bouchard deal
Now that he's a core piece for the Oilers for the rest of his career, Leon Draisaitl bluntly laid out some areas the Oilers need to improve. Draisaitl mentioned youth and speed as priorities, as well as establishing two separate lines for himself and McDavid.
We were an older team. Do we need to get a little younger, maybe. A little faster, maybe. But I think our core group is at an age where we got a lot of juice left.
Ideally, we want to be driving our own lines, and we did for the most part this season. I think Connor and I obviously play extremely well together, so it's hard for coaches sometimes to look at their bench and be like, how can I not throw them out there together? How can I not give it a try, especially when we're chasing, or when you need a goal. In the long run, driving our own lines is best, but it's just something you just have to go to every once in a while.
- Leon Draisaitl
Ideally, we want to be driving our own lines, and we did for the most part this season. I think Connor and I obviously play extremely well together, so it's hard for coaches sometimes to look at their bench and be like, how can I not throw them out there together? How can I not give it a try, especially when we're chasing, or when you need a goal. In the long run, driving our own lines is best, but it's just something you just have to go to every once in a while.
- Leon Draisaitl
Draisaitl also able to admit that Florida was much better this year than last year, and the Oilers failed to keep up with the rate of improvement.
It's interesting to hear Draisaitl mention younger and faster, because it may directly apply to some expiring free agents. Players like Jeff Skinner, Corey Perry, John Klingberg, and Connor Brown don't fit that bill.
The Oilers superstar may not be telling management that they failed this offseason, but he's at least highlighting that changes are needed to improve the roster to match the calibre of the Florida Panthers.
Connor McDavid took his comments to management a step further, fully declaring that he'd like to see the team re-sign Evan Bouchard as a long term core piece.
Even after making two straight Stanley Cup Finals, the Oilers currently feel miles away from a championship. Some significant changes will be needed for next season, and if the right ones are made to support these two superstars, the Stanley Cup could finally be brought back to Edmonton.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 19 | 1137 ANSWERS Leon Draisaitl calls out multiple changes Oilers need to make this offseason Do you think the Oilers need to get younger and faster? | ||
| Yes | 988 | 86.9 % |
| No | 149 | 13.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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