CHOOSE PLAN Monday night in Nashville, after Draisaitl had been the best player on the ice by some margin, scoring both Oilers goals in a 3-2 shootout loss, Hitchcock sounded like a coach becoming vindicated. “Coaches get players to places they can’t get to themselves, and the tug of war that goes on until they get to that place is hard,” he said. “You’ve got to be able to coach through conflict, and the players have to be able to play through conflict.
He’s got 20 games left, and could well take a run at 50 goals, the first to score that many in an Oilers season since Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri in 1986-87. He had a shorthanded goal, and his 15th power-play goal of the season. “It’s my job to produce offensively, that’s what I’m getting paid to do,” he said. “I want to be a complete player and I take pride in doing the little things right and defending, faceoffs, penalty kill, whatever it is.” Said Chiasson: “He thinks the game.
Spec Great read
Spec Great read Spec. I know it’s crazy, but I think this team is about to go on a run. I still think that meaningful hockey is possible here.
Spec Great read Mark. This is insight that helps fans to understand that these athletes are people who share the same personal doubts and challenges we all do in 'civilian' life. Being challengened by your boss and learning to take that in in a positive way makes you a better person.
Spec That is a good read. Always liked Draisaitl, but glad to see he's improving his game. He is not lazy. He did things wrong (even McDavid does, in the D-zone), but seems he's working harder to correct that side of the game now, which bodes well for this team's future.
Spec Sather found the right buttons to help elevate Messier to that level. If Hitchcock found those buttons in Draisaitl this team will go to a whole other level.
Spec I saw a different player last night that has been emerging. He’s going from really good player with some defensive deficiencies to a second franchise player. He looked Like Messier when he emerged from Gretzky’s shadow. Messier had some early flaws too.
Spec “Thrive”