RD Jamie Drysdale (2020, 6th, ANA)

[bsu]

Are the Ducks committed to burning a year of his ELC this season?

An ELC year but not a UFA year... same thing they are doing with Zegras apparently.

 

[Kalv]

Was the team worst -3 tonight though.
Regardless, he's very smart for his age. It's just he has to learn new things in the NHL and Avs is no joke, such a treat to watch except when they play the Ducks lol.

I did not see the whole game but I was disappointed how Eakins were using the PP units early on. Drysdale was on the first unit but they got taken off after 30 seconds, I don't think it was good but what do I know.

 

[Jeffrey Pedler]

Was the team worst -3 tonight though.
Regardless, he's very smart for his age. It's just he has to learn new things in the NHL and Avs is no joke, such a treat to watch except when they play the Ducks lol.

I did not see the whole game but I was disappointed how Eakins were using the PP units early on. Drysdale was on the first unit but they got taken off after 30 seconds, I don't think it was good but what do I know.

How many of the three goals were actually his fault though? What were his responsibilities in the Ducks defensive system?

 

[Masked]

He and Sanderson so far seem to be the best picks in the 4-12 range of last year's first round.

 

[theVladiator]

He and Sanderson so far seem to be the best picks in the 4-12 range of last year's first round.

I'd agree on Drysdale, but will stop there. I am afraid discussions around validating Ottawa's pick will take this thread off the rails again.

 

[SelltheTeamFrancesco]

Delete

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

What does everyone think about a right-handed Girard as a comparison for Drysdale?

 

[bsu]

What does everyone think about a right-handed Girard as a comparison for Drysdale?

He uses his skating defensively better but I could see this.

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

What does everyone think about a right-handed Girard as a comparison for Drysdale?

Yeah, I can see that. Similar stylistically. Both plus skaters and Drysdale projects as a two-way guy as well.

Drysdale doesn’t have Girard’s tornado, but his backwards crossovers are extremely good.

 

[theVladiator]

What does everyone think about a right-handed Girard as a comparison for Drysdale?

As with any comparison, it obviously is not perfect, but there are certainly some visual similarities. At this point I'd almost pick Girard as the floor for Drysdale, because there are elements of Drysdale game that likely will let him be more than a 2nd pair PP specialist. I think Drysdale has better on ice awareness/IQ, defensively and offensively. He is stronger on his skates and is better at handling physical battles. I think Drysdale is also better at switching between skating forward and backwards, and backward acceleration, and is using it with great success in both offensive and defensive zones.

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

As with any comparison, it obviously is not perfect, but there are certainly some visual similarities. At this point I'd almost pick Girard as the floor for Drysdale, because there are elements of Drysdale game that likely will let him be more than a 2nd pair PP specialist. I think Drysdale has better on ice awareness/IQ, defensively and offensively. He is stronger on his skates and is better at handling physical battles. I think Drysdale is also better at switching between skating forward and backwards, and backward acceleration, and is using it with great success in both offensive and defensive zones.

Girard isn’t a 2nd pairing power play specialist. He’s a top-25 defenceman in the NHL. To say that’s Drysdale’s floor is pretty bold.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he turned out better, but there’s always an element of risk with prospects.

The bolded should be true once Drysdale physically matures though, I’d agree with that.

 

[Gliff]

Girard isn’t a 2nd pairing power play specialist. He’s a top-25 defenceman in the NHL. To say that’s Drysdale’s floor is pretty bold.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he turned out better, but there’s always an element of risk with prospects.

The bolded should be true once Drysdale physically matures though, I’d agree with that.

I had the same reaction lol.

I think his floor is more Fowler.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I was hesitant to say a better Girard because Girard is very good and I'm not trying to turn this thread into a debate about Girard, but I think Drysdale can be better than Girard. I think Drysdale can be a top 10 defensemen in the league in his prime.

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

I was hesitant to say a better Girard because Girard is very good and I'm not trying to turn this thread into a debate about Girard, but I think Drysdale can be better than Girard. I think Drysdale can be a top 10 defensemen in the league in his prime.

I could see that happening. I wouldn’t say it’s a slam dunk, or anything like that, but certainly Drysdale has big upside. It’s a good comp.

It was more the characterization of Girard from the other poster that I disagreed with.

 

[theVladiator]

Girard isn’t a 2nd pairing power play specialist. He’s a top-25 defenceman in the NHL. To say that’s Drysdale’s floor is pretty bold.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he turned out better, but there’s always an element of risk with prospects.

The bolded should be true once Drysdale physically matures though, I’d agree with that.

He is a 2nd pair D even strength and 2nd PP unit on the Avs, is he not? I mean, how many top-30 D do Avs have? Makar, Toews, and now Girard too?

Girard is not a top pair D in my eyes, but I will admit calling him a 2nd pair D was not ideal from my point of view either. He is more of a tweener as far as I am concerned, perhaps suitable for top pair with an elite defensive guy like Parayko, or complimenting all around, but slowish #1D, like Pietrangelo or Carlson. What holds Girard back IMO is issues with physical side (understandable) and his offense, while very good, is not really top shelf.

Do not really want to argue about Girard here, but given your comments, felt it's worth it to clarify mine a bit.

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

He is a 2nd pair D even strength and 2nd PP unit on the Avs, is he not? I mean, how many top-30 D do Avs have? Makar, Toews, and now Girard too?

Girard is not a top pair D in my eyes, but I will admit calling him a 2nd pair D was not ideal from my point of view either. He is more of a tweener as far as I am concerned, perhaps suitable for top pair with an elite defensive guy like Parayko, or complimenting all around, but slowish #1D, like Pietrangelo or Carlson. What holds Girard back IMO is issues with physical side (understandable) and his offense, while very good, is not really top shelf.

Do not really want to argue about Girard here, but given your comments, felt it's worth it to clarify mine a bit.

Not sure where to begin...

I think I’ll tap out on this one, so I don’t pollute the Drysdale thread with talk about a different player.

 

[Dominance]

He is a 2nd pair D even strength and 2nd PP unit on the Avs, is he not? I mean, how many top-30 D do Avs have? Makar, Toews, and now Girard too?

Girard is not a top pair D in my eyes, but I will admit calling him a 2nd pair D was not ideal from my point of view either. He is more of a tweener as far as I am concerned, perhaps suitable for top pair with an elite defensive guy like Parayko, or complimenting all around, but slowish #1D, like Pietrangelo or Carlson. What holds Girard back IMO is issues with physical side (understandable) and his offense, while very good, is not really top shelf.

Do not really want to argue about Girard here, but given your comments, felt it's worth it to clarify mine a bit.

Your view on Girard is enormously outdated.

 

[Gliff]

Not sure where to begin...

I think I’ll tap out on this one, so I don’t pollute the Drysdale thread with talk about a different player.

Thank you.

Anyways, it is kinda crazy that Drysdale is considered by some to be the Ducks prospect. I dont think anyone would have expected that.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I like the Girard comp in a vacuum without attributing too much value to it. The four-way skating is a huge perk as well as the IQ/vision.

Still see Drysdale as a Duncan Keith ceiling, I know that's lofty. It's not an expectation per se. And I'm not sure his drive is as strong as Duncan's (not many are, not a slight). I think his physical development and his ability to deal with physical NHLers will determine his outcome. As such it's kind of a tough position to be in, where he's clearly READY for the NHL, but physically needs more--can imagine this dude with his man strength at least holding his own even if he won't break a cycle with sheer force.

 

[flamebird]

I like the Girard comp in a vacuum without attributing too much value to it. The four-way skating is a huge perk as well as the IQ/vision.

Still see Drysdale as a Duncan Keith ceiling, I know that's lofty. It's not an expectation per se. And I'm not sure his drive is as strong as Duncan's (not many are, not a slight). I think his physical development and his ability to deal with physical NHLers will determine his outcome. As such it's kind of a tough position to be in, where he's clearly READY for the NHL, but physically needs more--can imagine this dude with his man strength at least holding his own even if he won't break a cycle with sheer force.

I'll go a step further than probably anybody on this board and standby my statement.

This kid will be in the Hockey Hall of Fame barring any significant injury

 

[bsu]

He will end up being like Miro Heiskanen, he's that good defensively with his stick and 4 way skating. If you have watched his games thus far he makes whoever is skating up on his side dump it in so much its insane, his gap control is crazy he never panics.

In 2 years Lindholm-Drysdale will be one of the best elite pairings in the NHL.

 

[EXTRAS]

He will end up being like Miro Heiskanen, he's that good defensively with his stick and 4 way skating. If you have watched his games thus far he makes whoever is skating up on his side dump it in so much its insane, his gap control is crazy he never panics.

In 2 years Lindholm-Drysdale will be one of the best elite pairings in the NHL.

He won't be as good as heiskanen. Wish he would be as I have him on my dynasty league team, but heiskanen will be a step above.

 

[bsu]

He won't be as good as heiskanen. Wish he would be as I have him on my dynasty league team, but heiskanen will be a step above.

I thought the same before he was drafted but after watching every Gulls game hes played and every NHL game I think he will be similar.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

He will end up being like Miro Heiskanen, he's that good defensively with his stick and 4 way skating.

They're really nothing alike; they use different strengths to excel--only elite skating is similar. Drysdale is like Keith.

 

[bsu]

They're really nothing alike; they use different strengths to excel--only elite skating is similar. Drysdale is like Keith.

Watch the game tonight and see how wrong you are