Luke Gazdic calls out Leon Draisaitl with outrageous remarks

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Patrick Frost
November 27, 2024 (8:06 PM)

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The Edmonton Oilers are looking to build off their epic 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers last Saturday, but Sportsnet panelist Luke Gazdic has ruffled some feathers in Oil Country.

Late in the game, New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin caught Leon Draisaitl with a nasty hip-check, causing the Oilers forward to hit the ice relatively hard.

Draisaitl was picking up a puck along the boards and trying to dump the puck in the zone, when he was caught with a hip check from Panarin. Draisaitl got up quickly while fixing his equipment, took Panarin's number, and got back into the play.
-Liam McCormick, Oilers Daily

After the game, Luke Gazdic and Kevin Bieksa did their usual post-game analysis and the panel didn't hold back regarding their criticism towards Leon Draisaitl.

»Leon, get up and get back in the play. It drives me nuts sometimes. I just didn't love the reaction. The body language speaks volumes, right? And it just didn't look right.»
- Luke Gazdic, Hockey Night in Canada

Based on the video, Leon Draisaitl was clearly feeling the negative impacts of the hit by Panarin.

I completely understand that Luke Gazdic was considered a "tough-guy" during his early years in the NHL, but Leon Draisaitl was noticeably shook up from the hit.

In no way was Leon Draisaitl sulking or looking for a sympathy call, he was just slow to get up after getting his bell wrung, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Gazdic's opinion on this matter does come with some weight as a former teammate of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl - so he would know when Draisaitl is frustrated.
-Liam McCormick