Leon Draisaitl Returns to Oilers with Perspective, Poise, and Purpose
EDMONTON - Sometimes, life has a way of reminding even the biggest stars what truly matters. For Leon Draisaitl, that moment came last week when he stepped away from the Edmonton Oilers to return to Germany and be with family during a personal health matter.
The 30-year-old center missed three games during his absence - a stretch where the Oilers held their own, going 2-1-0 and outscoring opponents 13-1. But while the team took care of business on the ice, Draisaitl was focused on something far more important.
“Obviously I needed to be with my family,” Draisaitl said Saturday. “It puts things into perspective at times, how little this in here really matters when it comes to life.”
That kind of perspective doesn’t show up on the stat sheet, but it speaks volumes about Draisaitl’s character. And make no mistake - even when he’s not at 100%, his presence alone changes the dynamic for Edmonton.
After a long day of travel, Draisaitl rejoined the team Thursday and logged 19:17 of ice time in a 6-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It wasn’t a vintage Draisaitl performance, but under the circumstances, just suiting up was impressive.
“I can’t imagine what he’s gone through this past week and a half,” said Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch. “You play under the circumstances that he did - flying all day, the time change - and then playing. It would be ridiculous to think Leon would be at his best.”
Still, even a not-at-his-best Draisaitl is a difference-maker. With 25 goals and 42 assists through 49 games, he’s second on the team in scoring behind Connor McDavid and remains a cornerstone of Edmonton’s offensive engine.
“He definitely helps us in the lineup, just being there,” Knoblauch added. “Obviously when we’re having success and the team’s playing well, he’s a big part of it. And we welcome him playing at his best.”
That boost is felt across the lineup. Winger Andrew Mangiapane, who’s expected to skate alongside Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin against the Washington Capitals, sees the opportunity to play with Draisaitl as exactly that - an opportunity.
“He’s obviously a talented skill player, right?” Mangiapane said.
“So I’m just trying to go in there, play my game and try to complement him and Podzi here. He just kind of got back, but, yeah, he’s obviously a smart, skilled player.
So get open, he’ll find you. And just try to play your game.”
That’s the Draisaitl effect - he makes everyone around him better, whether he’s lighting up the scoresheet or simply drawing defenders with his presence. His ability to read the ice, control the puck, and find teammates in tight spaces is elite-level hockey IQ, and it’s the kind of thing that can help a team like Edmonton find its rhythm heading into a crucial stretch.
The Oilers entered Saturday second in the Pacific Division, four points back of the Vegas Golden Knights. With six games left before the Olympic break, this is a key window for Edmonton to tighten things up and build momentum.
“Last game obviously wasn’t our best,” Draisaitl said. “It’s important to find our game here before the break.”
And with Draisaitl back in the mix - physically present and mentally re-centered - the Oilers have every reason to believe they can do just that.