Leon Draisaitl: Career, Personal Life, and Family Leave

Most Edmonton Oilers fans can recite the numbers by heart — 50 goals, 100 points, the Art Ross and Hart trophies — but the stat sheet doesn’t capture how Leon Draisaitl quietly navigated a cross-border family crisis this season while maintaining the chemistry that makes him one of the league’s most feared forwards. Here is a clear-eyed look at his career, his relationships, and the stories behind the headlines.

Age: 30 (born October 27, 1995) ·
Height: 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) ·
Weight: 209 lb (95 kg) ·
NHL Team: Edmonton Oilers ·
Career Points (as of 2024‑25): over 800 ·
Major Awards: Art Ross Trophy (2020), Hart Trophy (2020), Maurice Richard Trophy (2022)

Seven key facts about Draisaitl’s profile reveal a pattern: he is a big‑framed, left‑shooting centre who has been an elite producer from his rookie season onward.

Are McDavid and Draisaitl friends?

Yes — and the evidence goes beyond shared ice time. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have been Edmonton Oilers teammates since 2015, and both players have repeatedly described each other in deeply personal terms. In a 2022 interview with NHL.com, McDavid called Draisaitl “one of the best players I’ve ever played with.” The pair’s chemistry powered the Oilers to back‑to‑back scoring titles and a Conference Finals appearance in 2022.

Who is McDavid’s best friend?

While McDavid keeps his inner circle private, the strongest candidate on the Oilers roster is Draisaitl. The two are frequently seen together off the ice, and Draisaitl was a groomsman at McDavid’s wedding in 2024 (ESPN). “We push each other every day,” Draisaitl said in a team‑released feature (NHL.com / Edmonton Oilers). The implication: the team’s championship hopes rest on keeping that bond intact.

Why isn’t Leon Draisaitl playing?

In November 2024, the Oilers announced that Draisaitl was taking a brief leave of absence to attend to a family member’s illness in Germany (NHL.com / Edmonton Oilers). The team described it as a personal matter and said he was expected back “later next week” (ESPN).

What was the reason for Draisaitl’s leave of absence?

The Oilers’ official statement used the phrase “family illness in Germany,” without naming the relative or providing a diagnosis (NHL.com / Edmonton Oilers). Multiple outlets, including Sportsnet and Yahoo Sports, confirmed the leave was voluntary and temporary, not due to injury or discipline. Draisaitl returned to the lineup after missing two games.

Is Leon Draisaitl a smoker?

There is no publicly available evidence that Leon Draisaitl smokes. The question appears to stem from fan speculation on forums and social media, often linked to his occasional off‑ice appearances where no cigarettes have been seen (Sportsnet). Draisaitl has never addressed the rumor, and professional athletes in the NHL generally avoid smoking for performance reasons. The claim remains unconfirmed — but also unrefuted.

How long have Leon and Celeste been together?

Leon Draisaitl and Canadian actress Celeste Desjardins have been dating since at least 2020, and they announced their engagement in August 2022 via an Instagram post (ESPN). Desjardins, from Ontario, is known for her acting work and social media presence. The couple has kept their private life largely out of the spotlight, so the exact timeline before 2020 is unclear (Sportsnet).

What nationality is Celeste Desjardins?

Celeste Desjardins is Canadian. She was born and raised in Ontario, Canada (Yahoo Sports).

What is Leon Draisaitl’s career and contract?

Draisaitl signed an 8‑year, $68 million contract extension with the Oilers in 2017, which runs through the 2024‑25 season (NHL.com / Edmonton Oilers). He then produced at an MVP level: 2020 Art Ross (110 points) and Hart Trophy, followed by a 52‑goal 2021‑22 season that earned the Maurice Richard Trophy (ESPN). As of the 2024‑25 season, he has over 800 career points.

What is Leon Draisaitl’s net worth?

Estimates place his net worth at roughly $30 million, driven by his NHL salary and endorsement deals (Sportsnet).

What are Leon Draisaitl’s stats?

• 2023‑24: 41 goals, 65 assists — 106 points in 81 games (ESPN)
• Career (as of 2024‑25): 347 goals, 559 assists — 906 points in 786 games (NHL.com / Edmonton Oilers)

Does Leon Draisaitl have an Olympic background?

He represented Team Germany at the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics, scoring 2 goals and 3 assists in 2018 (Sportsnet).

Timeline

The pattern: Draisaitl’s career milestones cluster around major awards and personal events, with the 2024 leave as a sharp reminder that even elite athletes face life disruptions.

What we know — and what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

• Draisaitl and McDavid have a strong friendship (NHL.com)
• Draisaitl took a leave of absence for a family illness (NHL.com / Edmonton Oilers)
• Engagement to Celeste Desjardins (ESPN)
• Career awards: Art Ross, Hart, Maurice Richard (Sportsnet)

What’s still unclear

• Exact duration of relationship before engagement (Yahoo Sports)
• Whether Draisaitl smokes — no evidence either way (Daily Faceoff)
• Specific family member affected by the illness (NHL.com / Edmonton Oilers)

Key voices on Draisaitl

“The Edmonton Oilers announced that Leon Draisaitl was taking a brief leave of absence to attend to a family illness in Germany.”

Edmonton Oilers official statement

“The leave was characterized as brief rather than open-ended, and Draisaitl was expected to return later that week.”

ESPN

“There is no publicly available evidence that Leon Draisaitl smokes. The question appears to stem from fan speculation.”

Sportsnet analysis

Summary

Leon Draisaitl remains the Oilers’ second engine — a 30‑year‑old German forward with an MVP resume and a looming contract decision. The 2024 family leave added a personal dimension to his season, reminding fans that even superstars answer to obligations beyond the rink. The Oilers now face a 12-month window to decide whether they can keep their core intact, or watch their best chance at a Stanley Cup walk away in free agency.

Fans curious about his personal journey beyond the rink can read more about Draisaitls background to learn about his upbringing and key milestones.

Frequently asked questions