Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl added to NHL All-Star Game roster

The NHL has revealed five players to be added to the NHL All-Star Game roster, including the Oilers’ very own Leon Draisaitl.

Draisaitl will join Oilers captain Connor McDavid as one of the fan-voted players to head to Toronto for the NHL All-Star weekend in February. This will mark Draisaitl’s third consecutive year being selected to participate in the festivities and his fifth overall appearance.

Ahead of the Oilers’ Saturday game against the Montreal Canadiens, Draisaitl has recorded 19 goals and 43 points across 38 games. The Oilers forward is tied for 24th in points across the league alongside the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby, the Tampa Bay Lightnings’ Brayden Point, and the St. Louis Blues’ Robert Thomas. Additionally, he’s ranked 22nd in the league for goals.

Draisaitl was announced to the All-Star roster alongside Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, Colorado Avalanche goalie Alexander Georgiev and defenceman Cale Makar, as well as Boston Bruins netminder Jeremy Swayman.

Bobrovsky will make his second appearance in the All-Star game in February after being voted in by fans. However, this is his third time being selected, as he was chosen in 2015 to represent the Columbus Blue Jackets but did not attend due to injury. Bobrovsky is tied for second across the league in wins at 21. His 2.42 goals against average ranks fourth among NHL netminders who have made at least 20 appearances this season. He currently posts a record of 21-9-1.

Georgiev will make his first NHL All-Star appearance and become the second Avalanche netminder to do so, following in the footsteps of Patrick Roy. Georgiev leads the NHL in wins at 23, games played at 35 and starts at 34. He currently holds a record of 23-9-2.

Makar will join Georgiev to represent the Avalanche on the All-Star stage in February as the second defenceman in franchise history in three consecutive seasons. Makar has recorded nine goals and 48 points throughout 37 games and ranks 12th among NHL skaters and second among defencemen in scoring. The blueliner was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Month in November after leading the NHL after dominating the league with 21 assists and 25 points.

Swayman will also make his first All-Star appearance as he represents the Bruins. In 22 appearances this season, Swayman has recorded 11 wins with a 2.47 goals against average and a .920 save percentage, alongside two shutouts.

The NHL plans to reveal the remaining seven fan-selected players for the All-Star weekend during Saturday’s Hockey Night in Canada pre-game show ahead of puck drop between the Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs.