Leon Draisaitl has arguably been the most valuable player for the Edmonton Oilers this season, and part of his monster year may have been influenced by a benching from Coach Knoblauch.
In the Oilers fourth game of the season, Knoblauch benched Leon Draisaitl after taking an unacceptable penalty out of frustration.
Draisaitl responded later the game by scoring the overtime winning goal, and ever since then, he's dialled up his play the his best level.
He's also clearly got the message from Coach Knoblauch, and Draisaitl is on one of the longest stretches without a penalty in his career.
Not only that, but a moment was caught on video in an episode of Oilers+ that saw Draisaitl jokingly fire back at Knoblauch for the benching - a true superstar response.
Leon Draisaitl Responds to Benching with Stretch of Legendary Play
Ever since that early part of the season, Draisaitl has geared up to play to his fullest potential, and it's been a rallying ability for the whole team to begin picking up their game too.
The German Superstar now leads the Oilers in goals so far this year in goals, plus minus, game winning goals, and ranks top 3 in pretty much every advanced statistic.
His contributions have also been so good early this season that Draisaitl has been floated as an early candidate for the Hart Trophy, and his all around play good enough for the Selke.
It could just be a coincidence that Draisaitl's play kicked up a gear after he was benched - he is a superstar player and this elite year was expected from him anyway. But Draisaitl has always been an emotional player that wears his heart on his sleeve, and he potentially needed that kick in the pants from Knoblauch.
Whatever the reason, Oilers fans are thrilled with the way Leon Draisaitl is playing right now, and hope it continues as long as possible.
