It was recently reported that Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid will be out “for a while” before returning to NHL action. Draisaitl was having the best goal-scoring season of his career, but this recent injury puts that in jeopardy.
With Leon Draisaitl potentially missing more than four games, does that lower his chances of winning MVP this season? Or will he still have a good chance?
Leon Draisaitl has been the best player in the NHL
It has been an outstanding season for the Edmonton Oilers superstar. Leon Draisaitl is currently sitting at 49 goals in just 68 games. The German forward could have hit the 60-goal mark for the first time in his career. However, his recent injury puts that in doubt. He sits at the top of the NHL in goals and has no competition. The second-highest goal scorer in the league is William Nylander who has 40 goals on the season. Draisaitl should easily win the Maurice Richard Trophy for the first time in his career.
Leon Draisaitl has been carrying the Edmonton Oilers on his back lately. Ever since the return from the 4 Nations break, the team has not looked the same. If it wasn’t for Draisaitl, the Edmonton Oilers could have been in big trouble. The last five games have been better, winning four out of five. This hot streak was started with an overtime-winning goal by Draisaitl against the New York Islanders. He has shown up when the Oilers have needed him the most.
Even though he has always been a superstar, Draisaitl is usually in the shadow of Connor McDavid. This role has changed this season. Draisaitl has been the best player across the entire NHL. His two-way game has significantly improved and he finally has a lead in goals scored. Draisaitl is always in the hunt for the Maurice Richard Trophy, but Auston Matthews has been in his way. This season has belonged to Draisaitl, who hopes to return for the playoff push in April.
The competition has been good
The injury to Draisaitl may give other Hart Trophy candidates a chance to stand out. Nathan MacKinnon and Connor Hellebuyck have both had astonishing seasons. MacKinnon currently leads the NHL in points and assists, while Connor Hellebuyck leads in save percentage, shutouts, and holds the lowest goals-against average. It will be tough to pick a clear winner out of these three players. Draisaitl’s best chance to win the Hart Trophy is to lead the league in scoring.
The most significant difference between these three star players is the team they play for. Connor Hellebuyck plays on the best team in the Western Conference. The Winnipeg Jets currently hold the second-best record in the league, just two points behind the Washington Capitals. Does this make it easier for him to perform better? The strong team in front of Hellebuyck gives him a better chance to increase his stats.
Nathan MacKinnon plays on the Colorado Avalanche, which has been an interesting story this year. They lost star player Mikko Rantanen but ended up getting another star player in return. Martin Necas has fit in perfectly and solidifies the top-six forward core in Colorado. The loss of Rantanen has not affected MacKinnon on the ice. He continues to be the best playmaker in the NHL this season.
Draisaitl has been the lone player out of these three candidates to play on a team that has noticeably struggled this year. McDavid has not been quite as dominant, Stuart Skinner has struggled mightily in net, and forwards Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson have not quite worked out in Edmonton. Does this increase Draisaitl’s chances in the Hart Trophy race? He was having the best season of his career on an Oiler team that has lacked secondary scoring. How far will Draisaitl be able to carry this team in the playoffs?
April will give Leon Draisaitl a great opportunity
Assuming Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid will return in April, they will have a great chance to add to their point totals. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been the leader of the offence in their absence, putting up nine points in four games. Hopefully, the entire offensive core will be on fire to end the season. This would provide the Edmonton Oilers with great momentum going into potentially another first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings.
Draisaitl will have an excellent opportunity to boost his point totals in April. The Edmonton Oilers have three games against the San Jose Sharks. This should provide an offensive explosion for the Oilers who have been inconsistent at times this season. They will also have crucial games in April that could help shape the final standings in the Pacific Division. Draisaitl and the Oilers will have two games against the Los Angeles Kings and one against the Vegas Golden Knights. These will be must-win games for the Oilers who currently sit in third place in the Pacific Division.
Do you think the injury to Leon Draisaitl will harm his chances at the Hart Trophy?
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
