Last August here at The Oilers Rig we did a series called “Just Who Is” that looked at all of the Oilers draft picks, free agent additions and acquisitions via trade. As we hit August, the final month without Oilers hockey, we’ll be bringing back the series, starting today with a look at top pick Leon Draisaitl.
The Means Of Entry:
Draisaitl was drafted third overall by the Oilers, becoming the reward for what was another absolutely terrible season in Edmonton. Leon was part of a trio of centers and a cluster of four players overall that represented the top-portion of the entry draft. He was the second forward taken, immediately following the selection of fellow WHL’er Sam Reinhart.
Draisaitl played last season for the Prince Albert Raiders and was easily the best player on the team, carrying them offensively to a playoff appearance where the team was knocked out by the Edmonton Oil Kings.
The Boxcars:
Draisaitl put up some seriously impressive numbers this past year in three different locations. In the WHL, he was the straw that stirred the drink for Prince Albert, scoring 105 points in 64 games, with 38 of those points being goals. In five playoffs games, including a one game play-in, Draisaitl posted five points, but only one of those was a goal.
At the World Juniors, Leon, the lone real prospect of note for the Germans up front, posted six points in six games. He also played for the senior squad for Germany, posting an impressive four points in seven games at the World Championships. That’s a good showing for an 18 year old against pro players from around the world.
That’s a solid draft eligible season for the big German, who was a stud in the WHL, and showed very well at the World Championships. A game breaking performance at the Word Juniors would have completed the triple crown, but he was clearly the focal point of other team’s game plans.
The Player:
Leon Draisaitl is everything the doctor ordered for the Oilers up front. He’s a big boy, standing in at 6’2” and 215 pounds as an 18 year old. That’s considered big for a fully grown player, but Leon is still growing, meaning it’s very well possible he bulks up more and gets even bigger. It’s what the Oilers badly need against guys like Getzlaf, Kopitar, Toews and Thornton.
Even though he is a big guy, the scouts say Leon is not an overly physical player, but instead uses his big frame to protect the puck and drive to the net. He won’t be throwing the big hit, but much like Joe Thornton he has the ability to use his size to his advantage offensively and can make things happen with the puck thanks to being such a big guy. In a way, that’s almost better than being a hitter.
Leon’s hockey sense is through the roof according to many. Scouts say that Draisaitl has the ability to read the play well and act almost immediately to what is going on around him. His ability to read situations and react is a huge asset, which combined with his skill and size makes him a potentially special player.
Draisaitl has great passing ability as well, evident by his high assist totals from this past season. That being said, he’s also a guy that can score goals. He’s got a good shot and is described as having “soft hands”. His wrist shot is both powerful and quick, making him a dangerous player in this regard. An all-around offensive threat if you will.
Draisaitl clearly has the ability to post offense, and did it basically on his own on an otherwise bad Prince Albert team. His offensive skill is complemented very well by some superb puck-protection skills and some serious size. Draisaitl could use a little work defensively, but was a solid possession player at the junior level, implying that he has the ability to learn that part of the game.
The 2014-15 Outlook:
When drafted, the expectation seemed to be that Draisaitl would return to Prince Albert for a final season in the WHL. Just over a month later, it seems like a certainty that Leon will be suiting up in the orange and blue. The Oilers missed out on Olli Jokinen, David Legwand, Derek Roy and Mike Ribeiro, leaving the club thin at center.
The Oilers want to run three scoring lines, and will need Draisaitl if that is to happen. The expectation at this point is that Draisaitl plays the entire season in Edmonton, and likely holds down the third line of the team, a soft-minutes scoring line if you will.
There will be some serious growing pains with this player, but his size and skill-set make him an attractive long-term option for Edmonton. It remains to be seen if the Oilers hit another home run with a first round pick, but we’ll be finding out this year who Leon Draisaitl really is.
Look for Leon to play this season in Edmonton and adjust to life in the NHL. It’ll be an interesting journey for the highest ever drafted German hockey player.
Next up, fourth round pick William Lagesson.
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