Draisaitl The Heart of Edmonton's Renaissance
The record for most game-winning goals (73) is a cornerstone of Oilers lore—surpassing even legends like Wayne Gretzky and Connor McDavid in clutch moments that define franchises. It's the kind of stat that echoes through Rogers Place for generations, a testament to Draisaitl's ice-cold veins under arena lights. As we celebrate that milestone in November 2025, let's dive into his decade-plus journey with the Edmonton Oilers, a saga of raw talent, heartbreak, and unyielding excellence that's rewritten the club's narrative.
Born October 27, 1995, in Cologne, Germany, Leon Draisaitl grew up idolizing NHL stars on grainy broadcasts, honing his game in Europe's junior ranks before crossing the Atlantic. His path to Edmonton was swift and seismic. After dominating the Western Hockey League with the Prince Albert Raiders—tallying 105 points in 64 games during the 2013-14 season—the 6-foot-2, 208-pound center was selected third overall in the 2014 NHL Draft, the highest-drafted German-trained player ever. The Oilers, mired in a rebuild after years of lottery purgatory, saw in him a power forward with finesse: a sniper's shot, a playmaker's vision, and a battering-ram physicality. On August 12, 2014, he inked a three-year entry-level deal, arriving in Alberta with quiet confidence and a Teutonic work ethic.
Draisaitl's debut in the 2014-15 season was a baptism by fire. At 19, he notched seven points in 37 games alongside veterans like Taylor Hall, but the Oilers' dysfunction—firing coaches mid-season, bottom-feeding in the Pacific Division—saw him demoted to juniors for roster management. It stung, but it forged resilience. Recalled full-time for 2015-16, he exploded for 51 points in 72 games, blending 19 goals with gritty forechecking. Yet, the team missed playoffs again, extending a decade-long drought. Whispers of trade rumors swirled; Draisaitl, ever stoic, channeled them into fuel.
The turning point arrived in 2016-17, his first full season at age 21. With new coach Todd McLellan unleashing his line, Draisaitl tallied 77 points (29 goals, 48 assists) in 82 games, his chemistry with linemate Connor McDavid—drafted first overall two years prior—igniting sparks. McDavid's blistering speed complemented Draisaitl's net-front presence; together, they outscored opponents 45-28 at five-on-five. Edmonton surged to 103 points, snapping the playoff hex with a seven-game series win over the San Jose Sharks. Draisaitl's postseason debut was electric: 16 points in 13 games, including a hat trick in Game 6 that buried the Ducks. Though they fell in the second round, it heralded a new era. "Leon was our rock," McLellan said post-elimination. At season's end, Draisaitl signed an eight-year, $68 million extension, betting on Edmonton's upside.
Injuries and inconsistency tested that faith in 2017-18. A hamstring tweak sidelined him early, and the Oilers regressed to 71 points, missing playoffs amid goaltending woes. Draisaitl still mustered 70 points in 78 games, but frustration mounted—fans chanted for changes, and GM Peter Chiarelli's roster tinkering faltered. The 2018-19 rebound was vintage Leon: a franchise-record-tying 50 goals and 105 points, earning a Hart Trophy nod as runner-up. His power-play dominance shone, with 21 man-advantage tallies. Yet, another early exit loomed until the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season redefined his legacy.
The COVID bubble was Draisaitl's magnum opus. In 71 games, he orchestrated 110 points (43 goals, 67 assists), clinching the Art Ross Trophy as NHL scoring champ—the first German ever, and only the third Oiler after Gretzky and McDavid. Voters couldn't ignore it: Hart Memorial Trophy for MVP, Ted Lindsay Award for players' choice. "It's surreal," he said, hoisting hardware in an empty Edmonton arena. The playoffs ended swiftly (four games, six points), but his regular-season mastery silenced doubters. As the bubble hosted rounds in Edmonton, Draisaitl's poise under quarantine protocols symbolized Oilers' grit.
The McDavid-Draisaitl axis became hockey's most lethal duo, evoking Gretzky-Kurri magic. By 2020-21, realigned divisions amplified their terror: Draisaitl's 84 points in 56 games made him scoring runner-up. Playoff sweeps stung, but 2021-22 was redemption. He hit 110 points (55 goals, 55 assists) in 80 games, including a 50-goal, 100-point pace unseen since Gretzky. Power-play records tumbled—36 goals, an NHL mark. With McDavid, they notched 20 points apiece in the first 10 games, echoing 1980s glory. Postseason fireworks followed: 32 points in 16 games, including five straight multi-three-point outbursts against Calgary, a playoff record. Despite a high-ankle sprain, he dragged Edmonton to the Western Final, falling to Colorado in five. "Leon's the engine," McDavid beamed.
Sustained brilliance defined 2022-23: a career-high 128 points (52 goals, 76 assists) in 80 games, powering a 50-win Oilers squad to the second round. The 2023-24 campaign crested with 106 points in 81 games, but the playoffs were euphoric agony. Draisaitl's 31 points in 25 games fueled a Cinderella run to the franchise's first Stanley Cup Final since 2006. Against Florida, he dazzled—41 points total, including overtime heroes—but the Panthers prevailed in seven, one win shy of glory. Heartbreak, yes, but it galvanized the core.
Offseason 2024 sealed his commitment: an eight-year, $112 million extension, the NHL's richest at $14 million AAV, through 2032. "Edmonton's home," he declared, quashing free-agency buzz. The 2024-25 season was his sniper's symphony—52 goals for the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, his first, plus 54 assists for 106 points in 71 games. Hart finalist again, he hit 400 career goals in his 791st game. Playoffs mirrored the prior year: 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 22 games, four overtime winners—a Finals record—tying the series before another six-game Panthers loss. Clutch as ever, those game-winners (now 73, eclipsing McDavid's 72) underscore his franchise immortality.
Into 2025-26, at 30, Draisaitl's hot: two goals and an assist in two games, eyeing a fifth straight 100-point year. Beyond stats—409 goals, 565 assists in 808 games—he's Edmonton's soul: alternate captain, German trailblazer (All-Star thrice, ESPY Best NHL Player 2025), philanthropist via his LD Foundation. His evolution from demoted teen to Cup chaser embodies perseverance. With McDavid, they've outscored foes 300+ at even strength since 2016. As the Oilers hunt that elusive Cup, Draisaitl's legacy gleams: not just points, but the will to win them when it matters most.
Wrutten by Grok xAI and Produced by Mack McColl, McColl Magazine
