Edmonton Oilers 2015-16 Report Card Thus Far

Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Leon Draisaitl, A+

Leon Draisaitl has had quite the story this season. Let’s start after the preseason, when he was cut from the roster. Peter Chiarelli then told the media that they would wait until he was ready, and when the time was right, they would call him up for good. Well, when the season was starting rough for the boys in orange, the Oilers decided it was time to give Draisaitl a change in the NHL. And they were right to do so, and he hasn’t been sent down since.

In fact, he has become a dominant presence on the Oilers first line and a complete clutch, shut down player. The German sensation scored two goals, including an unbelievable game-winner in Edmonton’s amazing comeback win against Montreal on Oct. 29, which was also his first game of the season.

The 2014 third overall draft pick has nine goals and 20 assists this season, and has five points in his last five games, including four assists he picked up in Dec. 11’s 7-5 win over New York. He is on pace for 27 goals and 57 assists. At a time, he was leading the NHL for average points per game, even dominating over Patrick Kane in that category.

An amazing player this season and a wonderful presence on the ice, Draisaitl has been a pleasant surprise this season and definitely deserves an A grade.