Drysdale gets a pep talk after some tough outings
Jamie Drysdale was on the ice for each of the Kings’ goals in the Ducks’ 4-1 loss Tuesday, after he was on the ice for two goals in Sunday’s 5-2 loss to Vegas, after he was on the ice for two goals in Friday’s 4-0 loss to the Golden Knights, and so it was time for a chat with the coach.
Ducks coach Dallas Eakins took Drysdale aside to make sure the 19-yearold defenseman’s confidence was still intact, that he wasn’t second-guessing himself, especially after Tuesday’s game.
“You get a minus-4 in a game and that can wear on you,” Eakins said. “It can be a big weight on your shoulders or you can realize what it is and get ready for your next game. We had a good chat. Was there a time or two in the game where he could have done something better? Absolutely.
“I think he’s got a pretty mature brain on him and he’s able to push out what’s not needed that can make you question yourself and take note of where you can be better and to move on quickly. I did have a good chat with him. I’m not worried about him, to say the least.”
Eakins said he zeroed in on the two games against league-leading Vegas, the first two of his career against the Golden Knights, an experienced, physical and fast team that dominated the Ducks on Friday and, to a lesser degree, Sunday. Drysdale was impressed.
“I asked him, ‘What did you think of Vegas?’” Eakins said. “He just said,
Saturday: ‘Those were the two hardest games I’ve ever played in.’ It just shows you the level of competition at this level, especially against an elite team because that kid has played in some really big games through his short career.”
Drysdale, the sixth overall selection in the NHL draft last October, has two goals and three assists in 16 games since he was recalled from the Ducks’ AHL team, the San Diego Gulls. He has logged an average of 18:44 of ice time and played on the powerplay and penalty-killing units.
No question, he’s ahead of schedule, especially considering he might have spent the season with his Ontario Hockey League team, the Erie (Pennsylvania) Otters, if not for the fact that the pandemic shut down one of Canada’s top junior-level leagues.
Drysdale’s playing options were limited to begin 2020-21, so he started this season with the Gulls and, after recording four goals and six assists in 14 games with San Diego, he earned a promotion and made his NHL debut with the Ducks on March 18.
“I’m really fortunate to be here,” he said. “To start out in San Diego and to have the opportunity to play here, it’s been a lot of fun. The amount of things I’ve learned has been really helpful for me and I’m looking to take this into the offseason and learn from it and build off of it. I think it’s really good for me and my confidence, as well.”
Drysdale hasn’t looked out of place with the Ducks, his play in the past three games notwithstanding. His exceptional skating and playmaking skills have stood out most of all and he’s been rewarded with additional ice time and an enhanced role.
“No one likes to have a bad night or an off night or a few bad shifts, but I think the biggest thing is just that it happens,” Drysdale said. “There are mistakes made every night on the ice. It wasn’t the best last couple of games for me. I’ve just talked with the coaches and the players and everyone is just saying it happens.
“It’s happened to all of us.”
Minor report
Trevor Zegras scored one goal and assisted on another, Axel Andersson scored one goal and Olle Eriksson Ek made 35 saves as the Gulls, completed a sweep of a two-game set against the San Jose Barracuda with a 6-2 victory on Wednesday at SAP Center.
Zegras has five goals and four assists in seven games since the Ducks reassigned him to the Gulls. He has nine goals and nine assists in 15 games with San Diego overall this season. Andersson has two goals and three assists in seven games since making his debut.
The Gulls (21-13) led the Pacific Division with 42 points going into Thursday’s games around the AHL, but were third in points percentage, trailing the Henderson (Nevada) Silver Knights and the Bakersfield Condors. The Gulls face Henderson on Saturday and Sunday at Great Park Ice in Irvine.