One of the biggest disappointments from last year’s NHL season was the Edmonton Oilers.
After eclipsing the 100-point mark for the first time in 29 seasons by pumping out 103 in 2016-17, the Oilers fell flat on their faces last season when many around the hockey world had pegged them to be Stanley Cup contenders.
For anyone that thinks the Oilers will finish outside the playoff bubble like last year’s club that managed only 78 points with a 36-40-6 record, a 25-point regression from just a season before, Leon Draisaitl is ready to tell you differently.
Speaking with NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger at the NHL European Player Media Tour, Draisaitl let it be known that the Oilers aren’t as bad as their record indicated last season.
"I think we're too good of a team where we're not at least competing in the playoffs or not in the race."
“And even if we are, that's probably not good enough. We want to make the playoffs and I think we have the team to do it. Now it's up to the players to show it."
Despite posting his second straight season of 70 points or more (25 goals, 45 assists for 70 points in 78 games), the 22-year-old German didn’t hold back on being responsible for the down season.
"We, as players, need to take ownership and be the best team we can be. I think that last year we weren't the team that we are, or that we want to be. Seasons like that happen, but we have to make sure it doesn't happen again.”
Draisaitl is entering the second year of the eight-year, $68,000,000 contract ($8.5m AAV) he signed with the Oilers last summer.
So, will the Oilers be back in the playoff picture come spring? Let us know what you think in the Facebook comments.
