Oilers 2026-27 Player Previews: Leon Draisaitl

The 2026-27 season starts this month, so let’s continue our Edmonton Oilers player preview series. The last player we looked at was goaltender Devon Levi, and now we turn our attention to a truly elite talent.

Once again, Leon Draisaitl had a fantastic season, recording 35 goals and 97 points in 65 games before an injury cut his regular season short. He suffered a lower-body injury on March 15 against the Nashville Predators after receiving a hit by Predators forward Ozzy Wiesblatt. He was well on his way to his seventh 100-point season, and his fifth straight. He was fourth in league scoring when he was injured, and ultimately finished ninth. Despite a first-round exit, the German phenom continued to produce in the playoffs, recording three goals and 10 points in six games.

The Oilers have played a ton of hockey the last few seasons after back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final. So, an extended summer wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially for Draisaitl. Hopefully he comes to training camp rested, rejuvenated, and ready to help lead this team through a gruelling season. Let’s preview his 2026-27 campaign.

Draisaitl Elevates His Teammates

Draisaitl makes everyone better. When you think of Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen, you don’t think about them being in the top six. Yet, they have found a home on the second line with Draisaitl, and that trio has unbelievable chemistry. They complement each other really well. Draisaitl brings elite skill and a lethal shot, Kapanen has great speed and energy, and Podkolzin brings the tenacity and physicality to win battles in the corners. That combination has worked extremely well, and that could be the second line come opening day. Ideally, Kapanen would be on the third line, but with Matt Savoie’s injury, the Finnish winger could find himself in the top six.

Connor McDavid has had consistent linemates over the last few seasons, with his primary wingers being Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman. That trio spent 388:57 together last season at 5-on-5, which was the most by a wide margin. Draisaitl, Podkolzin, and Jack Roslovic were second at 184:57, and Draisaitl, Podkolzin and Kapanen were third at 140:36. Savoie also played 101:28 with Draisaitl and Podkolzin, cementing himself as a top-six winger. As far as the star players go, Draisaitl adapted to his changing linemates, while McDavid didn’t have that issue as often.

Draisaitl’s linemates saw their production increase exponentially. Podkolzin set a career high with 19 goals after scoring just eight the season prior. Kapanen scored eight goals in an injury-riddled season, playing only 41 games. He was on pace for 16 goals. Roslovic also had an outstanding season, scoring 21 goals in just 69 games, and Savoie had a breakout rookie season. All of these players had the luxury of playing with the superstar centre, and all of them thrived. Draisaitl can play with anyone, and he brings out the best in them. There’s no reason to believe that won’t continue in 2026-27.

Best Case Scenario

The best-case scenario is that he stays healthy and can register 50 goals and 120 points as the second-line centre. He should easily be a top-five point producer in the league. However, he wasn’t as clutch as in years past. He only had three game-winning goals last season, his fewest since 2017-18. The season prior, he had 11, which is his career high. He has scored 11 game-winning goals three times, and he should be able to do that again.