The Edmonton Oilers have two of the NHL's Best players, yet some pundits can't recognize the brilliance of one.
The Edmonton Oilers are off to a rough start to the 2023-24 season. It hasn't shaken their resolve - as they go about preparing to end their two-game losing streak tonight against the Nashville Predators.
The Oilers have proven over the last several seasons that they are for real. They are a playoff team, and a favorite to win the Stanley Cup this season.
That is in no small part due to the dynamic and creative offensive skills of their two best forwards - Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Both players scored north of 100 points last season, and Draisaitl is establishing himself as a perennial 50-goal scorer. Despite this, some media don't see the true brilliance of Draisaitl's game.
ESPN's top-100 player predictions for the 2023-24 season lists Draisaitl at #6 - behind Auston Matthews, Jack Hughes, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and McDavid.
These other players have offensive skill in spades - but it hasn't translated to the same level of point production as Draisaitl.
Over the last three seasons Draisaitl has 241 points, behind only McDavid with 279. Every player ahead of him that isn't McDavid has less points than him: Matthews has 197, MacKinnon with 202, Hughes has 161 and Makar only has 155.
When Draisaitl is on his game, he's incredibly tough to beat. But for some pundits, they still need more time to be convinced.
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