Jamie Drysdale, D, Anaheim Ducks:The 19-year-old is tied for third among NHL rookie defensemen with three points (one goal, two assists) in seven games and is averaging 21:40 of ice time playing on the top pair with Hampus Lindholm. Anaheim has controlled 50.0 percent of all shots attempted at 5-on-5 when Drysdale is on the ice, which is first among rookie defensemen in the Pacific Division who have played at least two games. Selected by the Ducks with the No. 6 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, Drysdale (5-11, 183) played in 24 NHL games last season, scoring eight points (three goals, five assists).
"He has the ability to separate himself from forecheckers and backcheckers within two strides," Anaheim coach Dallas Eakins said. "It's like, two strides and he's created separation. We've seen him a few times already turn defensive
(Chicago Blackhawks)," Couture said about Eklund's ability to avoid big hits. "Try to find a time where Kane got hit hard in open ice. Not very often. They just see the game. They're almost a step or two ahead where they see guys coming with their vision."
Mason McTavish, F, Anaheim Ducks:He has scored two points (one goal, one assist) and is averaging 11:31 of ice time in three games. McTavish, who was the No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft, became the youngest player (18 years, 256 days) in Ducks history to score a goal when he converted a rebound at 13:20 of the first period of a 4-1 win against the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 13. McTavish (6-0, 213) has missed the past three games with a lower-body injury and was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Oct. 18, but has resumed skating.
"I think his style of play, his game, will be able to translate," Ducks forward Adam Henrique said. "I think the way he plays, he's not afraid to get in there and just play his game. That's a thing when you're a young player. Sometimes when you get here, you get a little nervous and get away from your game and then it goes the other way. I thought he did a great job."
Jack Rathbone, D, Vancouver Canucks:Selected in the fourth round (No. 95) of the 2017 NHL Draft, Rathbone is making the most of his opportunity following the departures of defensemen Nate Schmidt (Winnipeg Jets) and Alexander Edler (Los Angeles Kings). The 22-year-old (5-10, 177) is tied for third among NHL rookie defensemen with seven blocked shots and is averaging 13:40 of ice time in seven games. Last season, Rathbone scored nine points (two goals, seven assists) in eight games with Utica of the American Hockey League and three points (one goal, two assists) in eight games with Vancouver.
"Every day, you just kind of want to get a little bit better and better," Rathbone said during training camp. "I think it's more just a drive and an excitement around where my game's at right now and where I think I can be. I'm excited where my game is going, and excited just to continue to learn and hopefully play at a level that I can help these guys win."
