Draisaitl's Criticism of Oilers Coaching and Jarry Sparks Tension

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman weighs in on Leon Draisaitl's rare public dissatisfaction with the team's coaching staff and goaltender Tristan Jarry.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 4:15pm

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Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl openly criticized both the team's coaching and goalie performance after a recent loss against Calgary, drawing significant attention. Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman suggested Draisaitl's pointed comments might be a reaction to recent statements made by goaltender Tristan Jarry himself, and that Draisaitl's harshest criticism was aimed at the coaching staff, implying the Oilers' difficulties originate from leadership at the top.

Why it matters

Draisaitl's rare public dissatisfaction, especially aimed at goaltender Jarry, highlights growing internal tensions within the Oilers organization as they struggle to find consistency on the ice. The team's recent performance issues and Draisaitl's comments raise concerns about the direction Edmonton will take post-Olympic break.

The details

According to Friedman, Draisaitl's frankness in criticizing the coaching staff and Jarry's goaltending is highly unusual for a player of his stature. Friedman theorized that Draisaitl's remarks questioning the goaltending may have been a subtle pushback against Jarry's own recent public comments about the team's shortcomings. Jarry, who joined the Oilers earlier this season, has faced criticism amid the team's defensive struggles, and Draisaitl's pointed response appears to be a reaction to Jarry's calls for improvement.

  • The Oilers lost 4-3 to the Calgary Flames on Wednesday, February 5, 2026.
  • The Oilers are currently fourth in the Pacific Division with a record of 28-22-8 and are enduring a three-game losing streak.
  • The Oilers' next scheduled game is on February 25, 2026, when they face the Anaheim Ducks on the road.

The players

Leon Draisaitl

An Edmonton Oilers star player who openly criticized the team's coaching staff and goaltender Tristan Jarry after a recent loss.

Tristan Jarry

The Oilers' goaltender who has faced criticism amid the team's defensive struggles, and whose recent public comments about the team's shortcomings may have contributed to internal tensions.

Elliotte Friedman

A Sportsnet insider who discussed Draisaitl's rare public dissatisfaction and the potential implications for the Oilers' internal dynamics.

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What they’re saying

“You know, you rarely hear a player be so direct with the coaching staff like that, even a superstar country flag bearer at the Olympics, like Draisaitl.”

— Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet Insider

“He also made a comment about Jarry making the saves. I would bet that's in some slight retribution to Jarry's comments at the end of last week.”

— Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet Insider

“I don't know what Draisaitl was talking about there. Is he talking about preparation? Is he talking about energy? Is he talking about enthusiasm? But when your franchise player, and one of the two of them, talks like that, you got to fix things.”

— Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet Insider

What’s next

The Oilers will need to address the internal tensions and performance issues before their next game on February 25th against the Anaheim Ducks, as they attempt to stabilize both the locker room dynamics and on-ice results heading into the post-Olympic break.

The takeaway

Draisaitl's rare public criticism of the Oilers' coaching staff and goaltender Jarry highlights the growing internal discord within the organization, which must be resolved if the team hopes to turn around their recent struggles and make a push for the playoffs.