Sending Leon Draisaitl To Junior?

Through six games, the Edmonton Oilers have figured out most of their NHL roster. The one thing they have yet to figure out? Well it’s been the thing plaguing them since the early months of the summer, their center depth. The Oilers knew they had two guys they could trust in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Boyd Gordon, but still had two open spots. They belonged to Mark Arcobello and Leon Draisaitl on opening night.

Early on, the returns are good on Arcobello, who has provided Edmonton with solid two-way play, and some decent play-making. He isn’t a difference maker, but he’s found a way to put up some points in these early games, which is a really good sign. He’s played his way onto the roster, and clearly belongs in the NHL. This is an example of a risky bet working out in a good way.

On the other end is Leon Draisaitl, who has one point through six games, and has been given a severely tilted zone start push. Dr. Drai has spent most of his shifts by starting out in the offensive zone, but the results just simply have not been there. He’s had some chances, but just has not yet converted on them.

Leon has been making the typical rookie mistakes too, lots of turnovers, some questionable decisions, the usual from an 18 year old kid making the adjustment to the NHL.

None of this is to say that Leon will be a bust in Edmonton, I don’t think that is the case, in fact I love the future of this kid, I think he is going to be a star player in due time, but all of this is to say that this kid simply is not ready.

Back in 2011, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins got the same treatment, and took his chance by the horns, converting offensively and making a difference on the ice. You can argue that Edmonton should have sent him back, but he earned that season in the NHL with his nine-game audition. This year, in a similar situation, Leon Draisaitl just has not.

As I’ve mentioned, he’s gotten a very favorable zone-start push, and has not produced with it. In addition to that, he’s been handed some VERY talented and skilled line-mates who have a solid history of offense, and have struggled playing with the youngster. That’s very telling, and by that I mean it is telling us that this kid is in way over his head.

I believe in Leon Draisaitl as a draft pick, I think his skill set is a perfect match for what Edmonton wants behind Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. This is a kid with a big frame, a knack for a puck possession game, and an ability to create plays with his skill and his size. This team has been lacking that player for years.

In theory, he should be a lock for this roster, but after six games, it’s quite clear he just isn’t ready for the big time. No player has ever seen their progress hurt by another year of juniors, but plenty of players have seen their progress hurt by jumping to the NHL too soon. Edmonton could be doing that here.

The Oilers tried this with Darnell Nurse, and decided to send him back after he struggled through two games, the right decision. I know center is a big area of weakness on this roster, but throwing another 18-year old to the wolves just because the GM couldn’t acquire a player like David Legwand is not a sound decision.

I like to think that Craig MacTavish is a smart guy, and if he is, he’ll prove it by sending Leon Draisaitl either back to the WHL for another season, or to Europe for the year. This team isn’t winning the Stanley Cup this year, and developing a player viewed as a key part of the future should be the goal. Be smart with this kid.

There are veteran centers out there for the taking, call Boston and take the Chris Kelly contract off their hands, there are options to fill the spot currently held by Leon Draisaitl. The kid is going to be good, but the Oilers need to be smart with him or risk having the Sam Gagner situation happen yet again.