Khaira coming of age quickly in Year Three
Linemate Draisaitl has been one of the young winger’s biggest boosters
There aren’t many people who would have predicted this season that Jujhar Khaira would play his way onto Leon Draisaitl’s wing by Christmas.
But there were some.
Like Leon Draisaitl, for instance. Nobody is better at identifying talent than players on the same sheet of ice and Draisaitl sensed early on that Khaira was ready to break out.
Sure enough, despite posting just one goal and two assists in 25 career NHL games spread out over his first two seasons, the thirdround pick from 2012 is quickly turning heads in Year Three.
“I personally have always seen him in this position, a power forward who can score and play in all situations,” said Draisaitl, who centres Khaira and Ryan Strome on what is fast becoming a difference-making line for the resurgent Oilers.
“He had something to prove. Sometimes it’s about gaining trust from the coaches and playing your way into the lineup. He’s done an awesome job of that.”
Strome also had a strong feeling Khaira would be working his way up the depth chart this year.
“I don’t think there was any doubt from the players or the coaches what kind of player he was,” said the former New York Islander. “He does everything right, he’s strong, he can skate. He’s done really well with his opportunity.”
Yes he has. Through 24 games this season, Khaira has seven goals and six assists, with 11 of those 13 points coming in the last 12 games.
It took him some time to figure out the NHL (he was a healthy scratch in 10 of Edmonton’s first 16 games), but now that he’s getting the hang of it he’s starting to make a significant impact.
“It’s a tough league, that’s why it’s the best league in the world,” he said. “When you play you have to play with confidence and in the beginning I was still trying to feel it out. It took me a few games.
“But I feel like I have a lot of trust with the coaches right now. That’s when I play my best, when I don’t overthink things and just go out and play my game. That comes with having confidence from my teammates and coaches.”
Draisaitl went through the same thing when he started out. So did Jesse Puljujarvi. They seem to be turning out pretty well.
That’s why you never give up early on a big, strong player with skill.
“You need to figure it out at the beginning,” said Draisaitl, adding no matter how good you are, the NHL is a tough hill to climb.
“It’s such a difference, even from the AHL. Most of the guys take a little time to find their own game and adjust to the systems.”
Head coach Todd McLellan is also among those who thought Khaira had enough game to complement one of his cornerstone centres. That’s why he was so disappointed when the 23-year-old’s game dropped off so quickly after the pre-season.
“In training camp I would have given him that opportunity (with Draisaitl) because he had a hell of a camp,” the coach said. “It was what he did in the regular season, it fell off quite quickly. I think he got comfortable and took a deep breath when maybe he shouldn’t have.
“It took him a while to get back in the good books and do some of the things he’s doing now on a consistent basis. But he’s earned every minute of his playing time. There’s a lot about his game to like, we just have to keep reminding him that he’s going through a growth process and that growth has to continue.
“It can’t fade or stall or be parked somewhere and he gets comfortable again. We want him confident but not comfortable.”
That message is getting through loud and clear. Khaira is proud of what he’s accomplished so far, but those nights in the press box are still fresh enough to remind him what happens when his foot comes off the gas.
“This is great, I love playing with those two,” he said. “But at the same time it’s been half a year and there are still a lot of things I need to work on and build off of. I’m not looking too far ahead.”
It’s a tough league, that’s why it’s the best league in the world. When you play you have to play with confidence and in the beginning I was still trying to feel it out. It took me a few games.