Leon Draisaitl didn’t blame anyone. He didn’t criticize anyone. He just shared the tough reality about how the Edmonton Oilers are doing right now.
Draisaitl wasn’t shouting or mad during his post-game talk after another tough loss, the third one this season against the Calgary Flames. He just spoke honestly, and he did it like a true leader should. He mentioned everyone: the coaches, the players, the leaders, and the goalies. But if you looked at social media, you might think Draisaitl had really gone after his teammates and insulted their families. The strong reactions to what Draisaitl said, while not unexpected in today’s world, were exaggerated and wrong.
Draisaitl behaved like a true leader. He was straightforward in his comments about the team, because if the Oilers want to have a successful playoff run again, they need to improve coaching, defense, and goalkeeping.
“We are allowing too many goals. We can’t defend well. Our penalty kill isn’t good, and there are a lot of other issues. It’s just not good enough right now,” Draisaitl explained.
Tristan Jarry spoke before Draisaitl and said he needed to improve. He really does. He made some important saves on breakaways, but then he let in two goals that he should have stopped. The Oilers need to cut down on the dangerous chances, and Jarry needs to stop letting in weak goals.
Draisaitl was truthful about Jarry’s remark that he needs to make more saves.
“It is connected,” Draisaitl started. “We have to defend better and make things easier for him, then I’m sure he can improve a bit too. We need to work better in front of him, and it’ll help him out. There are saves our goalies need to make too.”
He isn’t blaming Jarry or Connor Ingram. He’s just stating a fact. The players need to step up in front of the goalie, and there are goals that the goalies need to stop. Both things can be true at the same time.
Draisaitl was asked if they are at a point where concern is needed.
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