Edmonton Oilers phenom Leon Draisaitl is making an unmistakable Hart Trophy case this NHL season, says NHL insider Frank Seravalli . Though top stars Nathan MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov, and Connor Hellebuyck are still in contention, Frank Seravalli thinks Leon Draisaitl has already accomplished enough to distinguish himself from the rest of the pack, particularly given what he's done playing through an injury-plagued Oilers roster.
Frank Seravalli thinks Leon Draisaitl is odds-on favorite for Hart Trophy ahead of Nathan MacKinnon, others
Leon Draisaitl, who is headed for his fourth career season with a minimum of 50 goals and 50 assists, has been a steady force from beginning to end, even as Edmonton has gone without some of its best stars, including captain Connor McDavid .
With the Edmonton Oilers, meanwhile, struggling through major absences, including Connor McDavid, Evander Kane, Mattias Ekholm, Stuart Skinner, and rookie Trent Frederic, Leon Draisaitl stepped up and carried much of the offense for a team that is still fighting for post-season position.
“He might have sewn it up before then, to be honest,” Frank Seravalli said. “That takes nothing away from the seasons that Nathan MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov, and Connor Hellebuyck have all had. They've all been incredibly impressive. But Draisaitl, the heavy lifting he's done for that Oilers team, putting himself in a spot where he's having a fourth season now of 50 goals and 50 assists...He's been next level. He's been so good from start to finish, at a time when, man, they've really been missing a lot.”
With McDavid currently scheduled to return next Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues and Frederic looking to debut in the next game, the Oilers are about to be whole again, making Draisaitl's solo acts in their absence all the more remarkable.
“Speaking of some injury news, I do have some updates for you,” Seravalli said. “It seems like Connor McDavid will be back next Wednesday against St. Louis—not playing the rest of this trip. Trent Frederic is likely to play in the last game of this road trip, not the next one but the one after that, to make his Oilers debut.”
A record marker places Leon Draisaitl in rarefied air
Leon Draisaitl's recent heroics, including his dominating performance against the Calgary Flames that further hurt their playoff hopes, only fueled his Hart Trophy push. Seravalli pointed out that Draisaitl's leadership and clutch play in late-game situations—particularly in overtime—was textbook MVP stuff.
Statistically, Draisaitl has achieved a historic level. Only 10 players in NHL history have had 50 goals and 50 assists in four different seasons. Draisaitl is now the lone active player to do so, putting him in legendary status and giving more strength to his MVP bid.
“Leon certainly did that. It's not just getting to 50 but also being that caliber of player at 50 goals and 50 assists. Only 10 players in league history have done it four times in their career,” he added.
Also Read: Leon Draisaitl latest injury update: Edmonton Oilers’ star player departs early during game against Sharks
As the season winds up, everyone is looking at the Edmonton Oilers and their No. 29. With the imminent return of their key players and the playoffs ahead, Leon Draisaitl's consistent excellence might not only secure him another personal award but also be the impetus for a deep playoff push.
For fans of the Oilers, it's not about the numbers—it's about grit. And Draisaitl's got that in spades.
Frank Seravalli thinks Leon Draisaitl is odds-on favorite for Hart Trophy ahead of Nathan MacKinnon, others
Leon Draisaitl, who is headed for his fourth career season with a minimum of 50 goals and 50 assists, has been a steady force from beginning to end, even as Edmonton has gone without some of its best stars, including captain Connor McDavid .
With the Edmonton Oilers, meanwhile, struggling through major absences, including Connor McDavid, Evander Kane, Mattias Ekholm, Stuart Skinner, and rookie Trent Frederic, Leon Draisaitl stepped up and carried much of the offense for a team that is still fighting for post-season position.
“He might have sewn it up before then, to be honest,” Frank Seravalli said. “That takes nothing away from the seasons that Nathan MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov, and Connor Hellebuyck have all had. They've all been incredibly impressive. But Draisaitl, the heavy lifting he's done for that Oilers team, putting himself in a spot where he's having a fourth season now of 50 goals and 50 assists...He's been next level. He's been so good from start to finish, at a time when, man, they've really been missing a lot.”
With McDavid currently scheduled to return next Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues and Frederic looking to debut in the next game, the Oilers are about to be whole again, making Draisaitl's solo acts in their absence all the more remarkable.
“Speaking of some injury news, I do have some updates for you,” Seravalli said. “It seems like Connor McDavid will be back next Wednesday against St. Louis—not playing the rest of this trip. Trent Frederic is likely to play in the last game of this road trip, not the next one but the one after that, to make his Oilers debut.”
A record marker places Leon Draisaitl in rarefied air
Leon Draisaitl's recent heroics, including his dominating performance against the Calgary Flames that further hurt their playoff hopes, only fueled his Hart Trophy push. Seravalli pointed out that Draisaitl's leadership and clutch play in late-game situations—particularly in overtime—was textbook MVP stuff.
Statistically, Draisaitl has achieved a historic level. Only 10 players in NHL history have had 50 goals and 50 assists in four different seasons. Draisaitl is now the lone active player to do so, putting him in legendary status and giving more strength to his MVP bid.
“Leon certainly did that. It's not just getting to 50 but also being that caliber of player at 50 goals and 50 assists. Only 10 players in league history have done it four times in their career,” he added.
Also Read: Leon Draisaitl latest injury update: Edmonton Oilers’ star player departs early during game against Sharks
As the season winds up, everyone is looking at the Edmonton Oilers and their No. 29. With the imminent return of their key players and the playoffs ahead, Leon Draisaitl's consistent excellence might not only secure him another personal award but also be the impetus for a deep playoff push.
For fans of the Oilers, it's not about the numbers—it's about grit. And Draisaitl's got that in spades.
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