LEON DRAISAITL - Center - 23 - $8.50MM Cap Hit - UFA in 2025-2026
LAST UPDATED 6/23/19
After enduring some questions about his ability to play without McDavid, and fans questioning whether he was worth the immense financial commitment he was given, Draisaitl had a 2018-19 season that silenced all of his doubters. Yes, Draisaitl did shoot a completely unsustainable 21.6%, so a return to the fifty goal plateau is likely not in the cards, but the fact remains that Draisaitl is an elite, play-driving young center. He's got the size and strength to win battles reliably, and he also has the speed to be an asset on the rush. He's a natural distributor and has incredible passing instincts and puck skills. He has a hard, accurate shot, and should be a 30 goal scorer regularly at sustainable shooting percentages. He's a decent faceoff taker with the upside to be a huge positive in that area, and while his two-way game could still use some ironing out to make him a true defensive force at the center position, his offense is simply so good that any defensive issues are easily made up for. Draisaitl has easily proven that he's worth the $8.5MM cap hit he has, and going forward he'll be regularly among the few elite playmaking #1 centers. (Although he'll obviously always be playing behind McDavid on the 2nd line.)
After enduring some questions about his ability to play without McDavid, and fans questioning whether he was worth the immense financial commitment he was given, Draisaitl had a 2018-19 season that silenced all of his doubters. Yes, Draisaitl did shoot a completely unsustainable 21.6%, so a return to the fifty goal plateau is likely not in the cards, but the fact remains that Draisaitl is an elite, play-driving young center. He's got the size and strength to win battles reliably, and he also has the speed to be an asset on the rush. He's a natural distributor and has incredible passing instincts and puck skills. He has a hard, accurate shot, and should be a 30 goal scorer regularly at sustainable shooting percentages. He's a decent faceoff taker with the upside to be a huge positive in that area, and while his two-way game could still use some ironing out to make him a true defensive force at the center position, his offense is simply so good that any defensive issues are easily made up for. Draisaitl has easily proven that he's worth the $8.5MM cap hit he has, and going forward he'll be regularly among the few elite playmaking #1 centers. (Although he'll obviously always be playing behind McDavid on the 2nd line.)
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