Canada Sport News

Draisaitl comments on Barkov hit: He is not a player known for intentional injury.
  • 2024 Stanley Cup Final - Oilers vs. Panthers, news
    •

    Draisaitl comments on Barkov hit: He is not a player known for intentional injury.

    Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers was a chippy affair and it all came to a head midway through the third period, when Leon Draisaitl laid a high hit on Aleksander Barkov that took the Panthers captain out of the game.

    Draisaitl was assessed a two-minute minor penalty for roughing, which didn’t go over well with the Panthers — “This isn’t the Oprah Winfrey Show, my feelings don’t matter,” head coach Paul Maurice famously said post-game — and concern surrounding Barkov’s health grew.

    But the 29-year-old German evaded suspension, Barkov escaped the worst-case scenario and cooler heads seemed to have prevailed.

    2024 Stanley Cup Final: Oilers vs. Panthers


    Keep up with the latest news and analysis from the Stanley Cup Final as the Edmonton Oilers face the Florida Panthers and look to end Canada’s championship drought. All games can be watched on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

    Full coverage

    “First of all, I think we all know that I’m not a player that plays with intent to injure anybody, by any means,” Draisaitl told reporters on Thursday, ahead of Game 3 in Edmonton. “I’m not a player that enjoys that part of the game, injuring other players or anything like that. I caught him in an unfortunate spot, and I’ll leave it at that.

    “I can’t stress enough that I’m not someone who plays the game of hockey wanting to injure.”

    Though Draisaitl is correct in that he has no nefarious track record with the department of player safety, receiving a suspension in the Stanley Cup Final is a high bar to clear. Over the last 13 years, only three suspensions have been handed out during the final round of the tournament (2011 and 2019), and two of those stemmed from plays that resulted in serious injuries.

    Barkov took to the ice for Panthers’ practice on Wednesday and Thursday, and is expected to be available for Game 3, which is welcome news for both the Panthers and the Oilers. If Barkov had been expected to miss significant time, Draisaitl’s fate may have been much different.

    Draisaitl escaped discipline from the league, but there’s no guarantee he won’t face retaliation from a Panthers squad that arrived in Edmonton with a 2-0 series lead.

    Watch all the action on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+, with coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. MT.

    More from Sportsnet
    Barkov’s return from Draisaitl hit boosts Panthers’ health edge


    Panthers’ Maurice provides update on Barkov: ‘Felt better today’

    Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl recently commented on a controversial hit by Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov during a game between the two teams. Draisaitl stated that he does not believe Barkov is a player known for intentionally injuring opponents.

    The hit in question occurred during the second period of the game when Barkov collided with Oilers defenseman Tyson Barrie along the boards. Barrie was shaken up on the play and had to leave the game briefly to undergo concussion protocol. However, he was able to return to the game later on.

    Draisaitl’s comments come as a surprise to some, as hits like the one delivered by Barkov are often viewed as dangerous and potentially injurious. However, Draisaitl’s perspective sheds light on the fact that not all hits in hockey are meant to harm opponents.

    Barkov, who is known for his skill and sportsmanship on the ice, has never been suspended or fined for any illegal hits during his NHL career. This track record supports Draisaitl’s assertion that Barkov is not a player known for intentionally injuring others.

    While hits like the one delivered by Barkov may be controversial and subject to debate, it is important to consider the context in which they occur. Hockey is a physical sport, and players are constantly walking a fine line between playing aggressively and playing dangerously.

    Ultimately, Draisaitl’s comments serve as a reminder that not all hits in hockey are meant to cause harm. Players like Barkov, who have a reputation for fair play and respect for their opponents, should be given the benefit of the doubt when it comes to questionable plays on the ice.