Leon Draisaitl drops icy 1-word reply to NHL analysts calling out Oilers leadership in Connor McDavid era

Leon Draisaitl drew attention on Saturday when he reacted to an online discussion about the Edmonton Oilers’ leadership. A podcast clip from The Edmonton Sports Talk Hangout questioned whether the team’s core players including Draisaitl and captain Connor McDavid, etc., show enough direction during tough stretches.

Analysts Jay Milne, Tom Gazzola, and Matt Iwanyk said the Oilers need stronger guidance from their top players. They pointed out that the group has often relied on veteran support in recent seasons.

"At this point, these guys that are the leaders of this team should have that ability to drag everyone into the fight with them, as opposed to just leading the charge and hoping everyone follows," Gazzola said. "And that element hasn't happened yet, and we're well into this thing.

"I think this leadership group can still get it done; they just need support from good veterans. And I think that's something we've seen multiple times now... they need that support system from good veterans, which is kinda frustrating 'cause these are guys entering their 30s now and should, should know by now."

When the clip was posted on Instagram, Draisaitl replied with a simple “Lol,” which gained more than 2,000 likes.

Leon Draisaitl reacted with Lol to Edmonton Sports Talk

Leon Draisaitl's short response showed his disapproval of the conversation around the Oilers’ leadership. He and Connor McDavid have led the team to success with both individual drive and team effort. Still, the topic has followed the Oilers since their long playoff runs.

The Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Final in both 2024 and 2025, losing to the Florida Panthers each time. McDavid and Draisaitl led the way in both runs and remain two of the top players in the league. McDavid has earned several major awards, including the Conn Smythe in 2024. Draisaitl posted 33 points, tied with McDavid, in the 2025 playoffs, showing their commitment.

Leon Draisaitl and McDavid's impact on Edmonton's offense

This season has been so inconsistent for the Edmonton Oilers, despite Leon Draisaitl's impressive start. They hold a 10-10-5 record and are scoring 3.08 goals per game. But defensive issues persist as they are allowing 3.72 goals per game, which creates problems each night.

Their power play remains strong at 27.9 percent, but loose plays have cost them important games. The team needs a more reliable structure to climb the standings.

Connor McDavid has produced 34 points in 25 games and continues to drive the offense. Meanwhile, Leon Draisaitl has 29 points and continues to score well for the team. Both stars provide elite production but need stronger team support.

However, the sole problem lies with defense and goaltending, which they must improve if they want to return to championship form.