Ducks Sign Jamie Drysdale
By Michael Walters
Today the Anaheim Ducks announced they signed defenseman Jamie Drysdale to an entry-level contract(ELC). The deal is worth $2,775,000 and has an annual average salary of $925,000 per Cap Friendly. It also includes a $92,500 signing bonus for each year.
Drysdale was the Ducks 6th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Last season he played for the Erie Otters and registered 47 total points(9 goals + 38 assists) with a +9 rating and 24 penalty minutes (PIM) in 49 games. He led all defensemen on the team in goals, assists, scoring, power-play assists (19), and power-play goals (3). He was also named to the 2018-19 OHL First All-Rookie Team.
Drysdale is an extremely fast skater and is a strong two-way defender. He has a solid transition game, where he can avoid defenders and make quality passes to his teammates on the rush. He can also carry the puck across the neutral zone on his own if necessary. He can set up his teammates for good scoring chances. He has a good ability to read the flow of a game and can get in passing lanes disrupting opposing forwards.
There are a few things that Drysdale can work on. He has an effective wrist shot, but he needs to work on the power of his slap shot. He isn’t afraid to go into the boards and fight for the puck, but he needs to work on his overall physical strength.
Some have compared him to Scott Niedermayer because of his two-way game and potential at both ends of the rink. Overall, he still needs work on his skill and ability, but he does have the potential to be a franchise player due to the overall game that he brings.
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November 7th, 2020