What's the odds on Draisaitl making the team?

[CorpseFX]

I would like to send him back to juniors and make him work on his skating.

if the coaching in midgets/juniors wasnt already working on this kids skating = th whole development system up there is total bull**** / a joke.

 

[Eirhead*]

We had a similar set up with Nurse though. We just ditched Whitney and the obvious hole in the lineup was a LHD to play with Schultz. MacT could have use Nurse, or even Klefbom. Instead he went out and brought in that depth. This was likely done specifically to keep those two young D off the roster.

The only difference with Draisaitl is that we haven't brought in those place holder players yet, but the summer is far from over. We acquired Grebeshkov at about this time last year.

When you phrase it like this, it seems the choice is obvious for the betterment of the club :p

 

[joestevens29]

Odds were pretty darn good whoever we drafted was going to be in the NHL this year, not because of our lack of depth but because top 3 picks tend to make the NHL. Then add that we drafted a guy who already has NHL size and I think you are hard pressed to find a lot of guys that won't make the NHL right away. Then add that we lack centers and size and it really is LD's spot to lose.

 

[Eirhead*]

Odds were pretty darn good whoever we drafted was going to be in the NHL this year, not because of our lack of depth but because top 3 picks tend to make the NHL. Then add that we drafted a guy who already has NHL size and I think you are hard pressed to find a lot of guys that won't make the NHL right away. Then add that we lack centers and size and it really is LD's spot to lose.

I think of Barkov and Landeskog as comparables in this regard.

 

[Mc5RingsAndABeer]

I honestly don't think we've rushed anyone.

6th and 8th picks like Monahan and Nichuskhin get to play right away these days, how can you really justify sending RNH back after 9 games where he led the entire team in scoring? Colorado played Duchene, Landeskog, and MacKinnon all immediately too, hell even O'Reilly played right out of his draft year I think and he's a 2nd round pick, lol ... why isn't there a problem there?

Hall was ready to play and there's noting the OHL would teach Yakupov either.

Paajarvi is the one I think that could've had an arguement for staying back another year, but he honestly played as well as Hall and Eberle in his pre-season stint here.

We almost made the playoffs in Gagner's rookie season.

The difference is in Gagner's rookie year the team had a good d-corps, OK goaltending, and forwards that did a lot of dirty work (Stoll, Glencross, Torres, Horcoff for a while).

Our issue is we haven't had a roster anywhere near that complete since.

Even though Joni Pitkanen was a headcase, his impact on the d-corps and moving the puck was really underrated too I think. Our record with him in the lineup vs. him out was pretty substantially different as I recall.

Thank you. Nobody bats an eye when other teams play physically-capable players in their draft year but somehow everyone is going crazy over Draisaitl. Sometimes players will learn more from the NHL, even if their game isn't fully polished.

 

[Blue And Orange]

if the coaching in midgets/juniors wasnt already working on this kids skating = th whole development system up there is total bull**** / a joke.

SO what are you implying?

Throw him in the wolves and watch him get eaten alive. Because that works so well

 

[Boondockjock]

It seems to me higher levels of competition are what improves a players skating because it becomes a necessity to survive. If it's other issues, such as needing a skill-set to mature, or learning the defensive side of the game, then I can see the value in sending a player back to junior.

Skating and athleticism increases with greater levels of competition IMO.

I couldn't possibly agree with this more...

I would love to see us have the proper competition in place so that the spot isn't just given to him. However, as we have all said - this is the Oilers we are talking about here...

IMO, Drai makes the team to start the season, regardless of having the 2C we so desperately need....

 

[McOvechking]

I'll say 99%. We've got an excellent skating coach in Serdachny, and I think he will play sheltered 3rd line ES minutes.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

He'll be here, the only question is how much will he play and how successful will he be? We have a lot of quality wingers to play him with which should really help him out.

 

[McOvechking]

I'm most excited at the thought of having Boyd Gordon teach him how to win draws. Could be huge for his future as an elite center.

 

[wings5]

Just a question on Draisaitl, could he be loaned to a team in Europe like say the DEL of FEL for example?

 

[IV XIV XCI]

What do we know about Leon's faceoff skills vs different types of opponents?

When Nuge came in he was largely overpowered in the circle but he has slowly improved.
With Leon it likely won't be a strength issue but there are several other elements of faceoffs to learn and harness.

Hopefully this will be an area of strength for him in his career rather than a trouble spot. It will be hard on Gordon to have to be responsible for taking D'end draws for both Nuge and Leon this year or next.

 

[joestevens29]

What do we know about Leon's faceoff skills vs different types of opponents?

When Nuge came in he was largely overpowered in the circle but he has slowly improved.
With Leon it likely won't be a strength issue but there are several other elements of faceoffs to learn and harness.

Hopefully this will be an area of strength for him in his career rather than a trouble spot. It will be hard on Gordon to have to be responsible for taking D'end draws for both Nuge and Leon this year or next.

How is that any different than last year?

As for the rest I don't know that it really matters what a guy does in junior. Whole new ball game once you go pro, plus weren't they changing how you lineup at draws this year?

 

[Blue And Orange]

He'll be here, the only question is how much will he play and how successful will he be? We have a lot of quality wingers to play him with which should really help him out.

The question is:

Can his skating improve? I'm not sold on his skating and in the NHL he'll get eaten alive.

Also, how is his faceoffs?

How is his two way play?

I would rather give him another year in junior before bringing him up. Let Arcobello take the #2C spot if we can't find an actual #2C and see how we do.

 

[IV XIV XCI]

How is that any different than last year?

As for the rest I don't know that it really matters what a guy does in junior. Whole new ball game once you go pro, plus weren't they changing how you lineup at draws this year?

Yeah, true. But I guess what I was hoping to say, in a more positive manner, is that if Leon happens to be a stud in the circle (lets say hovering near 0.500) then it would be a huge bonus for us as it would keep our checking line (or where ever Gordon plays) fresher. Not to mention the fact that winning draws in and of itself is huge for team possession and, in the long term, leads to more wins.

So Leon, if you're listening - work on those feet and become Adam Oates in the circle.

Please and Thanks (bitte und danke).

 

[Aerchon]

I recently read that he is currently spending 3-4 days a weak with a skating trainer and really wants to improve his skating and work away from the puck.

Impressive.

 

[dustrock]

I recently read that he is currently spending 3-4 days a weak with a skating trainer and really wants to improve his skating and work away from the puck.

Impressive.

I think Gregor said 2x/week just on skating, then 2-3 days/week on other stuff - mostly d-zone stuff.

He's spending the rest of the summer here in Edmonton, already working on what everyone says are his deficiencies. What a great attitude.

 

[Canovin]

I think Gregor said 2x/week just on skating, then 2-3 days/week on other stuff - mostly d-zone stuff.

He's spending the rest of the summer here in Edmonton, already working on what everyone says are his deficiencies. What a great attitude.

And 5 days/week in the gym.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Gregor+Draisaitl+intends+play+this+season/10047418/story.html

 

[McOvechking]

Kid's gonna wear himself out before the season even starts.

 

[Tarus]

Kid's gonna wear himself out before the season even starts.

He'd be a pretty piss-poor athlete if he wore himself out in a couple of months training 5 times a week at 18 years of age.

 

[McOvechking]

He'd be a pretty piss-poor athlete if he wore himself out in a couple of months training 5 times a week at 18 years of age.

5 gym days and 5 on ice days per week is a bit much. Either he has two rest days and does gym and on ice in the same day, or he just never rests.

Love the attitude and motivation though!

 

[MCDAVIDISH]

5 gym days and 5 on ice days per week is a bit much. Either he has two rest days and does gym and on ice in the same day, or he just never rests.

Love the attitude and motivation though!

I'm sure it's all completely controlled to allow for enough rest. These guys have access to the best training and knowledge. It's very easy to work on skating then lift weights after a few hours of recovery and proper food. Also it says he's with an on ice instructor twice a week, not five.

 

[OiledUp]

5 gym days and 5 on ice days per week is a bit much. Either he has two rest days and does gym and on ice in the same day, or he just never rests.

Love the attitude and motivation though!

Working out 10 times a week is in no way extreme for an elite athlete. Actually for pre-season I'd say it's pretty much bare minimum.

 

[McOvechking]

I'm sure it's all completely controlled to allow for enough rest. These guys have access to the best training and knowledge. It's very easy to work on skating then lift weights after a few hours of recovery and proper food. Also it says he's with an on ice instructor twice a week, not five.

Yeah, true.

Working out 10 times a week is in no way extreme for an elite athlete. Actually for pre-season I'd say it's pretty much bare minimum.

Really? Seems like a lot to me...

 

[Tw0Shoes]

Yeah, true.


Really? Seems like a lot to me...

Most rowers in University do 2 a days, 7 days a week.