The NHLPA and the hockey writers association are in full agreement: Leon Draisaitl is the best player in the league this year. With Hart and Ted Lindsay trophies in his collection now, the superstar from Cologne, via Prince Albert ( and how many people follow that route to stardom?) is reflecting on the circumstances of winning individual honours, while his Oilers fell out of the Stanley Cup running sooner than anyone might have expected.

In sum, Draisaitl is grateful for the accolades, but he’d trade them in a second for an Edmonton cup.

Draisaitl joined Player’s Own Voice host Anastasia Bucsis from Germany, where he is both training and relaxing. In a topsy-turvy period for the seasons of all professional sports, Draisaitl can say with certainty that when the call comes to get back to play, ‘you better be ready’.