Oilers Grinder Calls For a Stronger Defensive Effort From Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are almost unanimously the two best players in the NHL. They are offensive superpowers, and have combines for 122 points before the Christmas break.
However, neither of them are the best defensively. While they have the hockey sense to be effective two-way players, both have very obvious offense-first tendencies.
This has led to a grinder veteran of the team, Derek Ryan, calling them out.
In a post-game interview, Ryan was very honest about his displeasure with the defensive effort of the forwards:
While he didn't mention McDavid and Draisaitl directly, it is pretty obvious who he was referring to. McDavid has 66 points on the season, but is somehow only a +4 on the season. The team is getting crushed defensively, and their superstars don't seem to care.
Fans in the comments of this post agree:
I don't hear nearly as much talk about those two being dominant players this season.
With the Oilers now out of a playoff spot, there needs to be some urgency to win games. While McDavid is on track to win the Art Ross, the Rocket Richard, the Hart, and the Lady Byng, as well as setting some generational records, none of it will matter if his team can't get to the Stanley Cup.
The Oilers need to solve their defensive woes soon, or their playoff hopes sill be crushed.
Source: Oilers Daily
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 25 | 251 ANSWERS Oilers Grinder Calls For a Stronger Defensive Effort From Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl Do you think Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl need to make a stronger effort defensively? | ||
| Yes | 196 | 78.1 % |
| No | 55 | 21.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) shakes hands with Team Canada forward Sidney Crosby (87) after overtime win by Team Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531510.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) shakes hands with Team Canada forward Sidney Crosby (87) after overtime win by Team Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images")
