NHL Trade Talk Daily News: Oilers & Canucks Players of the Day

Welcome to today’s NHL Trade Talk Daily News report (January 28). Each day, we’ll bring you key NHL news, which includes trade rumors, injury updates, and other news for the teams involved. Here, you can stay updated on the latest team news, potential trade rumors, and team news from around the NHL. In today’s news, we look at the great Leon Draisaitl. How great has he been for the Oilers? Second, we take a look at the Vancouver Canucks resident waterbug, Conor Garland. He scored twice last night to help lead his team to their second straight win.

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Leon Draisaitl: Continuing to Dominate in the 2024-25 Season

There can be no argument; the Edmonton Oilers Leon Draisaitl is an exceptional player. This season, he’s putting together another great one by scoring 35 goals (which leads the NHL) and 40 assists in only 50 games. That’s a total of 75 points. This achievement is the third time in his career that he’s hit the 75-point mark in 50 games. By doing so, he joins an elite group of NHL players.

Draisaitl (from Germany) is now one of only three non-North American players who have accomplished the feat. The others are Peter Stastny (from Slovakia) and Jaromir Jagr (from Czechia). Draisaitl’s consistent scoring elevates his status as one of the NHL’s top forwards. Fortunately for the Oilers, the talented German shows no signs of slowing down.

Draisaitl’s play has also been key to Edmonton’s success this season. Last night, he registered an assist to get two points closer to Nathan MacKinnon for the league lead in points. His play also helped the Oilers pull ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights for first place in the Pacific Division.

Draisaitl is building an Oilers’ legacy. His 75 points in 50 games tie him with the greatest Oilers in history. These include Wayne Gretzky, Connor McDavid, and Jari Kurri, the only players to achieve the feat more than once. With his scoring and playmaking skills, Draisaitl drives the Oilers’ offense. His productive numbers continue to keep Edmonton in the Stanley Cup hunt. The team has now grabbed the top spot in the Pacific.

Conor Garland Shines in Canucks’ 5-2 Win Over Blues

Amidst a bombshell bit of news from President Jim Rutherford, the Canucks’ Conor Garland is proving to be one of the more stress-free players on the roster. He has a motor that just won’t quit. While some of his Vancouver Canucks teammates have had less-than-stellar games, Garland has continued to work his tail off. Last night, he was rewarded for this hard work when he scored two goals in his team’s 5-2 win over the St. Louis Blues. Both goals came during the first period and helped pull his team to a crucial road win.

The 28-year-old Garland’s goals came early. One scored on the power play, and the other off a rebound. It was his first multi-goal game since November 29. The feisty forward had been in a slump, with only two goals and three points in his last 12 games. However, he bounced out of it quickly last night. By doing so, he gave his team a much-needed spark.

However, is it too little and too late for the Canucks? They are fighting for a playoff spot. Can they make it?

Canucks coach Rick Tocchet praised Garland’s effort, noting that even when he isn’t on the score sheet, he brings intensity and pushes the pace. “He brings a lot of compete,” said captain Quinn Hughes. Garland’s two goals give the rambunctious Canuck 13 goals and 33 points in 49 games this season. If he continues his pace, he could pass his career-high of 52 points, set in 2021-22.

Even when Garland isn’t scoring, his play adds to the Canucks’ success. He’s able to step up at key moments, especially on special teams. That was evident last night. In short, Garland remains a key player in the Vancouver lineup. The question is whether his energy and skills can help his team stay in the playoff hunt.

Related: NHL Trade Talk Daily News: Sens, Canucks & Oilers