The Oilers' clean-out day brought some sharp words from Leon Draisaitl, who said the organization is regressing.
"We didn't do a good enough job of properly winning games," Draisaitl said. "... We go into every game, and we try to do it right, we say the right things, but I think you have to in the regular season form these moments, you have to get comfortable in these moments. We didn't do that this year, and it ended up showing in the first round here. ... I am concerned because we are not trending in the right direction. We've taken big steps backwards and we've got to get a grip of this and head back in the right direction.
"I mean, Who has the best player in the world (Connor McDavid) and doesn't try to win? ... He's signed for two more years and God knows where that goes, but we have two years here right now. We have to get significantly better."
McDavid concurred when told of Draisaitls comments, adding "I agree with Leon that the organization as a whole has taken a step back. I think that starts with me. ... That starts with Leon. We all can be better and we all need to be better."
My take: Seems natural to feel that way after a first round exit preceded by winning the Western Conference the two previous seasons, but the sense this team won't win a Cup as constructed is real and extends far beyond the locker room.
THE ASYLUM
Oilers regressing?
The Oilers' clean-out day brought some sharp words from Leon Draisaitl, who said the organization is regressing.
"We didn't do a good enough job of properly winning games," Draisaitl said. "... We go into every game, and we try to do it right, we say the right things, but I think you have to in the regular season form these moments, you have to get comfortable in these moments. We didn't do that this year, and it ended up showing in the first round here. ... I am concerned because we are not trending in the right direction. We've taken big steps backwards and we've got to get a grip of this and head back in the right direction.
"I mean, Who has the best player in the world (Connor McDavid) and doesn't try to win? ... He's signed for two more years and God knows where that goes, but we have two years here right now. We have to get significantly better."
McDavid concurred when told of Draisaitls comments, adding "I agree with Leon that the organization as a whole has taken a step back. I think that starts with me. ... That starts with Leon. We all can be better and we all need to be better."
My take: Seems natural to feel that way after a first round exit preceded by winning the Western Conference the two previous seasons, but the sense this team won't win a Cup as constructed is real and extends far beyond the locker room.
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