Draft Prospect Profile: Jamie Drysdale

By Logan Orsini

With the 2019-2020 NHL season in an odd state with uncertainty about whether play will resume, many Ducks fans are turning their heads towards the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Especially since this year’s draft is looking to be a rather deep one with the likes of Alexis Lafreniere, Quinton Byfield, and Alexander Holtz, just to name a few.

With all these high powered forwards on the board and with the Anaheim Ducks sitting at 26th in the league in goals at 182, one might assume that the Ducks should pick one of these forwards. The Ducks might want to take a look at their blue line for this year’s draft though.

Listen To The DucksNPucks Podcast

A top defenseman in this year’s draft is Jamie Drysdale (CAN) from the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He has put up 47 points, including 38 assists, in 49 games this season. He was at a point per game pace when the season abruptly halted. He also represented Team Canada at the World Junior Classic this year, putting up one goal and two assists in seven games.

His most standout ability by far is his skating. He is an elite skater with great speed and transitions, and he can use it to create chances and recover in any situation on the ice. Another great upside is his puck handling ability along with a high hockey IQ. These three abilities combined make him a great puck handling defenseman, allowing him to produce more space for his teammates.

All of these offensive abilities do not take away from his ability on defense. His speed makes him a great one on one defenseman, and it also gives him the ability to recover in odd-man rushes. He is great at forcing the play, making opponents dump the puck in. His stick is very active in that he has a great ability to anticipate where the puck will be, allowing him to disrupt passing lanes.

Visit Our Hockey Store

Not every player is perfect though and Drysdale does have his downsides. He stands at 5’11, 170 lbs. Not that size is an issue but he will have to bulk up to play in today’s NHL. Another is his shot. It is not at that elite level like his skating and passing, but he does tend to be a more pass-first offensive threat.

The Ducks could add a serious offensive threat to their blue line with Drysdale. With a lot of the attention this season on elite young defensemen like Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, they are perfect examples of how a young, offense-minded defenseman can make a team so much better. Makar and Hughes also show that to be successful in today’s NHL, players have an elite skating ability. Drysdale could potentially have that, as he has been compared to these two.

The Anaheim Ducks blue line is not what it used to be. Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, and Josh Manson still hold the core of the blue line, but because of trades and an expansion draft, it has been depleted. Adding a top defenseman in this year’s draft may put the Ducks blue line in the right direction to where it once was.

For more discussion on the draft listen to our recent hockey podcast by clicking below or visiting us at  Podomatic, Spreaker, or YouTube.

Related Articles:

Reviewing Anaheim’s 2012 Draft Class

Reviewing Anaheim’s 2011 Draft Class

Reviewing Anaheim’s 2010 Draft Class

Reviewing Anaheim’s 2009 Draft Class

Draft Now, Season Later?

Statement From DucksNPucks

This event is bigger than the Anaheim Ducks and sport of hockey. It affects the entire sports industry and the world as a whole. Our sympathies and concerns go out to anyone affected by this worldwide incident. This will be a trying time for the world, but the triumph of the human spirit will get us through this.

Stay strong, stay safe, be kind, and love one another.

Support us by becoming a DucksNPucks patron! Members can win game tickets, a $200 Cool Hockey gift card, and more!

Want to start your sports media career? Then Join The Puck Network!

DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team. What are you waiting for? Start your sports media career TODAY!

April 26th, 2020