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Time of India
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl named best NHL player at 2025 ESPYS
(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File) Leon Draisaitl 's stellar 2024–25 campaign has earned him a new honor, this time off the ice. The Edmonton Oilers forward was named Best NHL Player at the 2025 ESPYS on Wednesday, becoming the first German-born player to win the award. Draisaitl joins an elite group of European winners, capping off a year that saw him lead the league in goals and help push Edmonton to the Stanley Cup Final once again. Leon Draisaitl honored with first ESPY after career-best season Leon Draisaitl's ESPY win comes on the heels of a standout season in which he scored 52 goals to earn his first Rocket Richard Trophy. Despite missing time and playing just 71 games, the 29-year-old forward still finished with 106 points, his sixth 100-point campaign in the last seven seasons. Draisaitl also became the first German and just the fourth European player to ever win the ESPY for Best NHL Player. The annual award, hosted by ESPN, celebrates the top athletes in all major sports. Draisaitl's selection continues Edmonton's dominance in this category, as teammate Connor McDavid won the award in each of the last three years. Although the ESPY may not carry the same weight as league-specific honors, it highlights Draisaitl's popularity and impact on the game globally. Strong playoff run highlights all-around dominance Draisaitl carried his strong regular-season form into the playoffs. In 22 postseason games, he recorded 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists), helping the Oilers reach their second consecutive Stanley Cup Final. His performance included four overtime game-winners, underlining his ability to deliver in critical moments. While Edmonton fell short of the ultimate prize, Draisaitl's efforts were vital in the team's deep playoff run. The combination of offensive production, leadership, and clutch scoring made him a deserving recipient of national recognition at the ESPYS. A light-hearted off-ice moment Interestingly, Draisaitl and McDavid were not in attendance for the ESPY ceremony. Instead, the duo was spotted playing in a recreational beer league game in Newmarket, Ontario, which their team lost 6–2. Despite the light-hearted nature of the event, the moment showcased their grounded personalities and connection with local fans. Leon Draisaitl's ESPY win is another testament to his rising legacy in the NHL. With multiple league awards, a consistent scoring record, and now national recognition, the Edmonton Oilers star continues to solidify his place among hockey's elite. Also Read: Anaheim Ducks re-sign Lukas Dostal to five-year, $32,500,000 contract Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Miami Herald
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Can Off-Season Changes Help These NHL Star Players Have Bounce-Back Seasons?
There are a handful of NHL stars who had a down year last season. However, given their talent and the moves their respective teams made in this off-season, the circumstances are different, and that could lead to a bounce-back season. The off-season has been in full effect for multiple weeks now, leaving plenty of time for GMs to make changes and improve their squads. These roster changes could be a key component to getting a star player back to playing the way everyone knows they can. Here are three star players who could be eyeing a bounce-back season for the 2025-26 campaign. Auston Matthews was not the same goal-scoring threat last season as he usually is. In all nine seasons Matthews has played in the NHL, last year was his worst in terms of putting the puck in the back of the net. The three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner scored a franchise-record 69 goals in the 2023-24 campaign, but dropped down to just 33 goals last season. Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has made a couple of solid moves in the acquisitions of left winger Matias Maccelli and center Nicolas Roy. However, the off-season itself is really what Toronto's captain needed. Upon elimination from the playoffs, Matthews revealed he was playing through an injury, practically throughout the entire season. Some stretches of the season were better than others, he added. "Definitely a tough year physically," Matthews told reporters. "I'm confident with some time off and just going through my own process and treatment and everything, I'm really confident I'll be back 100 percent next season, and it's nothing for me to worry about." It was a long and tough season for the Vancouver Canucks, but no one had it worse than Elias Pettersson. From the locker-room rift with J.T. Miller to underperforming and media attention, it was a year to forget for Pettersson. In 64 games last season, the Canucks center scored 15 goals and 45 points, despite being just two years removed from a 102-point season. Aside from the 2020-21 campaign, where he played just 26 games, last season was the worst of his career. Although it was a disappointing season in Vancouver, the front office and players are betting on themselves to get back to the post-season. GM Patrik Allvin signed Thatcher Demko, Conor Garland and Brock Boeser to new contracts. Bringing back those crucial players could be a sign of encouragement for the team and Pettersson. While Matthews and Pettersson could bounce back because of off-season moves around them, Noah Dobson's chance to reset comes at the hands of being traded by the New York Islanders to the Montreal Canadiens. Dobson was traded for Emil Heineman and two first-round picks in the 2025 draft. He also signed an eight-year, $9.5-million contract as part of this sign-and-trade. After recording 70 points and finishing eighth in Norris Trophy voting two seasons ago, Dobson's production dropped off in his final campaign with the Islanders, scoring 39 points. However, the 25-year-old D-man has an excellent opportunity at hand to get back to his scoring ways. With that, he could be paired up with Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson, putting Dobson in a great position to succeed under his new team. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on Copyright The Hockey News, Roustan Media Ltd.
Edmonton Journal
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
William Nylander, Leon Draisaitl lead European pre-Olympic picks
Article content Among Swedes joining Nylander are Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog, who made a late-season return from injury for the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman. Sweden's great rival, Finland, named Aleksandar Barkov, who hopes to win a second Stanley Cup this week with the Florida Panthers, plus three Dallas Stars; Mikko Rantanen, Miro Heiskanen and Anton Lindell. Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes with Jusse Saros in net. The Swiss will be bolstered by Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators, two New Jersey Devils in Nico Hischier and Timo Meier, and Winnipeg Jet Nino Niederreiter. Germany leader is Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl, this year's Rocket Richard Trophy winning scorer with 52 goals, a further 33 playoff points to date, and Ottawa Senators Tim Stutzle. Czechia's six pack includes Boston great David Pastrnak, defenceman Radko Gudas and goaltender Lukas Dostal. Two netminders were prominent in Latvia's selections, Elvis Merzlikins of Columbus and Vancouver Canuck Arturs Silovs. Canada and the U.S. are expected to unveil their top six later Monday.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid 'Put On A Good Show' For Canada. Is The Cup Next?
After adding a best-on-best international title to his ever-expanding trophy case, the Oilers pivot only has one bauble left to chase down. By Doug Ward (Editor's note: This story originally appeared in The Hockey News' Top 100 NHL Players issue with a cover date of April 21, 2025. It has been edited and updated for online purposes.) Connor McDavid has a way of finding himself in rarefied air. In Edmonton, where the aura of Wayne Gretzky's number billowing from the rafters still hangs heavy in the atmosphere, McDavid lives up to lofty expectations. Across Canada, McDavid has the air of a superhero. In this year's 4 Nations Face-Off final in Boston, it was McDavid who found the space in overtime, then left a nation walking on air when he found the back of the net to give Team Canada the win. 'I hope we put on a good show,' said McDavid in a post-game interview, 'and gained some fans.' Mission accomplished. But McDavid is far from done. With that golden goal in Boston, McDavid planted a flag on hockey's mountaintop. With comparisons to Gretzky already de rigueur, McDavid found himself in an even more rare place in Canadian hockey folklore: alongside Paul Henderson and Sidney Crosby. At 28, McDavid has already stuffed his trophy cabinet with one Rocket Richard Trophy, three Hart Trophies, four Ted Lindsay Awards and five Art Ross Trophies. Then there's the Conn Smythe Trophy that McDavid earned when he brought his team back from a 3-0 series deficit in last year's Stanley Cup final before ultimately falling short in Game 7 in Florida. The Stanley Cup is pretty much the only bauble in hockey where you won't find McDavid's name. Not yet. But not for a lack of trying. McDavid became just the second skater to win the MVP of the playoffs while playing for the losing team. Philadelphia's Reggie Leach was the first in 1976. As McDavid hangs out at hockey's highest peak, with his name now shorthand for dizzying greatness, there is still that Stanley Cup to claim. For four years running, McDavid's Cup quest began with his Oilers bouncing the Los Angeles Kings from the playoffs faster than, well, a Connor McDavid breakaway. The Kings know his skills better than anyone. 'Speed,' said Kings center Phillip Danault of the most clear and present danger that McDavid presents. 'He's electric, and he has quick hands.' McDavid also possesses something that belongs to him alone. 'He just thinks the game differently,' Danault said. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, who has a history of chirping McDavid, went from rival to admirer at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Doughty believes his breakout pass that sprung McDavid for a breathtaking goal in the unforgettable 3-1 round-robin loss to Team USA in Montreal could not have been converted into a breakaway goal by anyone else. 'If I pass that to any player in the league other than Connor McDavid,' Doughty said, 'with the possible exception of Nathan MacKinnon, I don't think anybody else is getting a breakaway.' It's doubtful Doughty would have even attempted the pass leading up to the memorable goal had it been intended for anyone else. 'When I saw Connor get the speed through the neutral zone, I knew I was going to pass it to him,' Doughty said. 'Not many guys are going to get a breakaway off that. He's just so fast. It was a good pass by me, but Connor made the play.' Because McDavid combines space-age speed with classic skills and a unique perspective on hockey, he makes plays that no one else dares attempt, altering the way a game is played. His mere presence on the ice changes everything, everywhere, all at once. 'The way everyone tries to cover him makes the game open up,' Danault said. Added Kings defender Mikey Anderson: 'Connor McDavid is just different. He has a mix of everything. He has a different level of speed. He plays fast, but his hands move just as fast as his feet. He sees an opportunity when other guys don't, and he is smart about when to turn it on.' Playing with McDavid for Team Canada, Doughty learned the game's singular talent is a great teammate. 'We put everything that has happened over the past years aside, and we were teammates,' Doughty said. 'He's a great person. Hung out with him a ton. Talked to him a ton. Really enjoyed being his teammate on and off the ice.' So, yeah, you could certainly say McDavid knows how to clear the air and gain new fans. This article appeared in our 2025 Top 100 NHLers issue. This issue focuses on the 100 best players currently in the NHL, with the Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon sitting atop the list. We also include features on Alex Ovechkin finally beating Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record, and former CFL running back Andrew Harris' switch to semi-professional hockey. In addition, we provide a PWHL playoff preview as the regular season nears its end. You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid ‘Put On A Good Show' For Canada. Is The Cup Next?
After adding a best-on-best international title to his ever-expanding trophy case, the Oilers pivot only has one bauble left to chase down. By Doug Ward (Editor's note: This story originally appeared in The Hockey News' Top 100 NHL Players issue with a cover date of April 21, 2025. It has been edited and updated for online purposes.) Connor McDavid has a way of finding himself in rarefied air. In Edmonton, where the aura of Wayne Gretzky's number billowing from the rafters still hangs heavy in the atmosphere, McDavid lives up to lofty expectations. Across Canada, McDavid has the air of a superhero. In this year's 4 Nations Face-Off final in Boston, it was McDavid who found the space in overtime, then left a nation walking on air when he found the back of the net to give Team Canada the win. 'I hope we put on a good show,' said McDavid in a post-game interview, 'and gained some fans.' Mission accomplished. But McDavid is far from done. With that golden goal in Boston, McDavid planted a flag on hockey's mountaintop. With comparisons to Gretzky already de rigueur, McDavid found himself in an even more rare place in Canadian hockey folklore: alongside Paul Henderson and Sidney Crosby. At 28, McDavid has already stuffed his trophy cabinet with one Rocket Richard Trophy, three Hart Trophies, four Ted Lindsay Awards and five Art Ross Trophies. Then there's the Conn Smythe Trophy that McDavid earned when he brought his team back from a 3-0 series deficit in last year's Stanley Cup final before ultimately falling short in Game 7 in Florida. The Stanley Cup is pretty much the only bauble in hockey where you won't find McDavid's name. Not yet. But not for a lack of trying. McDavid became just the second skater to win the MVP of the playoffs while playing for the losing team. Philadelphia's Reggie Leach was the first in 1976. As McDavid hangs out at hockey's highest peak, with his name now shorthand for dizzying greatness, there is still that Stanley Cup to claim. For four years running, McDavid's Cup quest began with his Oilers bouncing the Los Angeles Kings from the playoffs faster than, well, a Connor McDavid breakaway. The Kings know his skills better than anyone. 'Speed,' said Kings center Phillip Danault of the most clear and present danger that McDavid presents. 'He's electric, and he has quick hands.' McDavid also possesses something that belongs to him alone. 'He just thinks the game differently,' Danault said. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, who has a history of chirping McDavid, went from rival to admirer at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Doughty believes his breakout pass that sprung McDavid for a breathtaking goal in the unforgettable 3-1 round-robin loss to Team USA in Montreal could not have been converted into a breakaway goal by anyone else. 'If I pass that to any player in the league other than Connor McDavid,' Doughty said, 'with the possible exception of Nathan MacKinnon, I don't think anybody else is getting a breakaway.' It's doubtful Doughty would have even attempted the pass leading up to the memorable goal had it been intended for anyone else. 'When I saw Connor get the speed through the neutral zone, I knew I was going to pass it to him,' Doughty said. 'Not many guys are going to get a breakaway off that. He's just so fast. It was a good pass by me, but Connor made the play.' Because McDavid combines space-age speed with classic skills and a unique perspective on hockey, he makes plays that no one else dares attempt, altering the way a game is played. His mere presence on the ice changes everything, everywhere, all at once. 'The way everyone tries to cover him makes the game open up,' Danault said. Added Kings defender Mikey Anderson: 'Connor McDavid is just different. He has a mix of everything. He has a different level of speed. He plays fast, but his hands move just as fast as his feet. He sees an opportunity when other guys don't, and he is smart about when to turn it on.' Playing with McDavid for Team Canada, Doughty learned the game's singular talent is a great teammate. 'We put everything that has happened over the past years aside, and we were teammates,' Doughty said. 'He's a great person. Hung out with him a ton. Talked to him a ton. Really enjoyed being his teammate on and off the ice.' So, yeah, you could certainly say McDavid knows how to clear the air and gain new fans. This article appeared in our 2025 Top 100 NHLers issue. This issue focuses on the 100 best players currently in the NHL, with the Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon sitting atop the list. We also include features on Alex Ovechkin finally beating Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record, and former CFL running back Andrew Harris' switch to semi-professional hockey. In addition, we provide a PWHL playoff preview as the regular season nears its end. You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive. Copyright 2025 The Hockey News, Roustan Media Ltd.
