Oilers' Leon Draisaitl would welcome shift to wing

No longer the Edmonton Oilers' top prospect, Leon Draisaitl is willing to make a concession - just to be a part of it.

Draisaitl says he'd welcome a shift to the wing if it means sticking with the Oilers for the long haul next season.

"I'd be totally fine with playing the wing. I've done it before and it wouldn't really matter," Draisaitl told reporters at Edmonton's rookie orientation camp Friday.

"As long as I'm on the team."

Draisaitl - selected third overall last summer - appeared in 37 games, scoring two goals and nine points in his shortened rookie season. He struggled with the pace and own-zone assignments, earning a ticket back to junior when his rights were traded to the Kelowna Rockets.

"It's easier to switch from center to wing. You have more responsibility (defensively) as a centerman. A lot of times the center is working down low in his end with the defensemen and that takes work. Wingers work, too, obviously, but it's a different role."

To go along with potential front-line pivot Connor McDavid, Edmonton filled out the center-ice position with Mark Letestu, who's expected to play behind returnees Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Anton Lander.