Long-term view of Leon Draisaitl

[estarr31]

I just acquired Leon (in exchange for Eberle and Fowler) to help consolidate my roster for playoff run, and I'm pretty excited. There's not much left in our season with playoffs starting in two weeks but I wanted to just discuss how others view Draisaitl in keeper leagues. He's still having a great season (0.95 PPG) despite the struggling Oilers and their PP. His overall has plummeted compared to last year because of the PPP impact this season but that's a team dynamic.
He's a 75-point player with potential for more in the right season. Would you consider keeping him over a multi-cat stud like Pacioretty? Now, I know Patches' potential change in scenery could change the discussion but let's consider both (him on MTL and him on a better team)...who you keeping - Leon or Patches?

I have been set with keeping Patches, hopefully in a new team, but now I'm intrigued by Leon's youth and potential? Granted, he's not a big multi-cat guy but still, any 70 point player is valuable.

[FrozenInferno]

When he's playing with McDavid he's solid gold, but when centering his own line he's not given much to work with because the Oilers have no depth whatsoever on the wings. His power play production is also down from last year but that's true of the Oilers in general.

Despite all of that he STILL puts up nearly PPG numbers. Just imagine what he will do with some competent linemates.

All this to say, yeah he's a REALLY good player even though he's surrounded by a crappy team. If the Oilers can right the ship and get him someone good to play with he has potential to go above PPG for sure I think.

[Timmins_Tornado]

Drai's upside is higher than Patches. If the Patches owner offered him for Draisaitl Id laugh and wouldn't even counter.

[estarr31]

Drai's upside is higher than Patches. If the Patches owner offered him for Draisaitl Id laugh and wouldn't even counter.

I get that, for sure. It's been a weird year for Drai in my league format, he's ranked 181 overall this year (112 last 30 days). But he was ranked 42 overall last season with very simialr stats except his PPP production. Whereas Patches is highly valuable in my format b/c of his peripherals (35th overall this year/ 31 last season) but he's ranked less in the past 30 days than Drai is.

Considering Drai's youth and track record (on pace for back to back 70-point seasons) he's a very intriguing keeper option and would further the age of my keepers (pasta is the only young keeper, so keeping Drai instead of Patches only helps). Let's put it this way - it'll likely be a lot hard to draft or trade for a guy like Drai early next year compared to a guy like Patches or multi-cat specialist. Seem reasonable in my league settings? I'd like to think Edmonton will be improved next year.

As for my trade this year, I'm happy to go from Eberle's playoff schedule (6 games from 3/12-3/25) to Drai's playoff schedule (8 games in same span). And I just wanted to get rid of Fowler for something. The guy who acquired Ebs is able to pair him up with Barzal so that was his thinking, but still not much time left.

[lucafen4]

Gotta think Draisaitl's future is similar to, if not brighter than Backstrom's - in regard to point comparisons. Pt/gm is my expectation annually moving forward

[RizzeeDizzee]

He was too good too quickly, then disappointed soon after. That's a fantasy value nightmare because if you want to get him chances are his price is too high and somehow, at the same time, if you want to sell him you're unlikely to get what you think is true value. In short, hold him if you have him.

[estarr31]

He was too good too quickly, then disappointed soon after. That's a fantasy value nightmare because if you want to get him chances are his price is too high and somehow, at the same time, if you want to sell him you're unlikely to get what you think is true value. In short, hold him if you have him.

His value this year has declined only because of the team performance. Drai's numbers are actually stronger than last year's except for PPP. I'd say producing back to back 70 point seasons in 21 and 22 age years, that's pretty good potential. If Edmonton can figure out how to get out of their own way, I'd like to expect them to be competitive next season. Being too good too soon, is a fair criticism as Drai's contract will limit Edmonton's options but not his fault either. If anything, this is the exact time to be able to acquire someone with his talent and age (having a frustrated owner selling him off for short-term playoff help - that guy also has Barzal this year so his emergence likely helps back selling Drai - very similar profiles and opportunities too, although Barzal will sky-rocket if Tavares leaves)

So you do agree that Drai is likely a good keeper for next year? Over a guy like Pacioretty or Hoffman?

[RizzeeDizzee]

So you do agree that Drai is likely a good keeper for next year? Over a guy like Pacioretty or Hoffman?

Over those two, yes, except maybe in kitchen sink leagues due to his poor PPP, Hits, PIM and Blocks. All I'm saying is if you try to sell Draisaitl, you'd probably be in for a rude awakening in terms of what you'd get offered in return, since although his stats are there he hasn't made the large leap that was predicted.

[estarr31]

Over those two, yes, except maybe in kitchen sink leagues due to his poor PPP, Hits, PIM and Blocks. All I'm saying is if you try to sell Draisaitl, you'd probably be in for a rude awakening in terms of what you'd get offered in return, since although his stats are there he hasn't made the large leap that was predicted.

Probably why I was able to acquire him last night just for Eberle and Fowler...
I'm in a "kitchen-sink league" so that's why I started this post. Team in sig.

[RizzeeDizzee]

Probably why I was able to acquire him last night just for Eberle and Fowler...
I'm in a "kitchen-sink league" so that's why I started this post. Team in sig.

I think you bite the bullet and keep him, despite his weaknesses in some areas. The key is his SOG rate puts him in a category above most assists-heavy players. At worst he becomes Kuznetsov, and at best he turns into an even better version of what Barzal is doing this season.

[LeafsFan1967]

Drai's upside is higher than Patches. If the Patches owner offered him for Draisaitl Id laugh and wouldn't even counter.

He owns Patches already, unless you realize that and are just using a Patches for Draisaitl offer to compare their value.

[estarr31]

I think you bite the bullet and keep him, despite his weaknesses in some areas. The key is his SOG rate puts him in a category above most assists-heavy players. At worst he becomes Kuznetsov, and at best he turns into an even better version of what Barzal is doing this season.

Thank you. I can wait until September to decide so let's see where Patches is playing next year but I gotta say I'm pretty intrigued by Drai's talent, age, and potential. Especially when I already have three older keepers (Wheeler, Crosby, Marchand) but I can add Drai to Pasta for a nice youth contingent.

[Canucks_fan18]

I agree with the Backstrom comparison he's going to be undervalued moving forward. He's a strong hold once you have him and you did real well acquiring him for cheap.