Player Discussion Drew Helleson

[bsu]

Welcome to the Ducks!

From HP, ranked #29:

Drew Helleson was a steady defender on the backend for the program, finishing with 23 points in 64 games. In the USHL, he produced 11 points in 28 games, including 4 goals. At international events, he wasn’t a big point producer but did have 3 assists in 7 games at the U18’s. He’s slated to play for Boston College next season.

Helleson is a cerebral modern-day shutdown-defender who plays a competitive and efficient brand of hockey. What defines Drew’s game is his hockey-sense and willingness to battle. When breaking down his hockey sense, his anticipation under-heavy pressure is well above-average. This allows him to make smart and effective plays around the boards during forechecking sequences and when he’s getting pressured both through the neutral-zone and at the offensive-line. His hockey-sense extends to his decision making in all three-zones. In the defensive-end, he looks for the safest route either by skating the puck out of danger-areas or finding the open passing lane; in the neutral-zone he rarely forces plays and lets the play naturally flow; in the offensive-zone, he doesn’t over-extend his skill-set which allows him to get pucks on net and turn it over at the blueline infrequently compared to some of the other defenders on both his team and overall in this class.

He’s s a strong and tenacious player that enjoys the physical aspects of the game, which compliments his sturdy frame. This quality allowed him to come away a plus player during board-battling sequences; there’s a fearlessness to his approach. His hockey-sense also extends to his spacing. Helleson kept an adequate-gap and was good at applying pressure and closing his gaps that forced further reactions to his play. His competitiveness and pace extend to his ability to recover. When he is caught out of position, he responds quickly and changes his gear to match the urgency of the play. Helleson wouldn’t be able to defend as successfully as he did if it wasn’t for his four-way mobility. He’s an efficient and fluid skater who is capable of acceleration quickly and generates plus straight-line speed. This compliments his edges and pivoting mechanics which are a plus and this allowed him to keep up with some of the faster forwards who attempted sudden direction shifts on him.

Helleson’s safer and more direct approach when dealing with the opposition in the defensive-end extends to the offensive-end, which doesn’t leave him with a highly-creative or offensively proficient game. He does have the odd play where he shows flashes of some talent but it’s not consistent. His hockey sense gives him the ability to make plus reads and activate at opportune times, but he’s not a flashy or dynamic player. Furthermore, his vision isn’t one of his better attributes in the offensive-zone. He can move the puck quickly and efficiently but it’s rare to see him make a high-end pass that’s threaded through multiple players. He hasn’t developed the ability to freeze opponents who are attempting to cover him at the line. As a result, Drew looks to quickly get the puck either to his open-teammate or fire a simple wristshot through traffic. One major benefit of Helleson’s clean and simple approach at the blueline is that he rarely makes mistakes that cause the play to go the wrong direction, which encompasses his style of play as a whole.

Helleson is the type of defender that consistently looks for the safe and effective play. It’s not the most exciting summary of a player but it emphasizes the attributes that we think could allow him to become a useful bottom-pairing NHL defenseman who can shutdown some of the opposing teams more skilled players.

“There is always a group of program guys who don't get their chance to shine offensively . He's in that group this year. I'm not saying he’s an offensive star but he has more to give.” - NHL Scout, March 2019

"Really good interview. I think he’s an underrated player too.” - NHL Scout, May 2019

"Projects as good solid middle pairing guy and like you said, he has good structure to his game.” - NHL Scout, May 2019

“I saw him a lot, he's ok but I’m not that high on him." - NHL Scout, June 2019

“Helleson was the structured force in chaotic situations when viewing the USNTD.” HP scout, Brad Allen, May 2019

“Not much conversation about this player with other scouts this season but what I do know is there is a huge range of opinions on him. Scouts either had him high or seemed to have no time for him. Every year it seems like a player comes out of the USNTDP with little fanfare but ends up surprising. Helleson would probably be my pick to be that guy this year. Teams need the meat and potato guys too, not just the flashy offensive guys.” - HP Scout, Mark Edwards, March 2019

“I spoke to a lot of scouts between the start of combine week and today, which is two days before our book release day. I can basically some up the comments in two ways: They either said something along the lines of -I like him, good player or they said something like - not a big fan.” - HP Scout, Mark Edwards, June 2019

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[bsu]

"Helleson has seen a bit of an offensive explosion this year as he has hovered around 0.75 points per game this season but it’s his defensive work that he’s known for. The 6-foot-3 blueliner uses his length effectively defensively, getting his stick into passing lanes and tying up his opponents. Helleson’s defensive reads are a step ahead of the competition. The Boston College top pair defender is not the kind of flashy defenseman that will lead a rush on his own but he will make the smart pass just about every time. He plays a simple yet effective game with the puck on his stick, utilizing his more skilled teammates, putting them in positions to succeed. Helleson is very much the modern defensive defenseman that teams are looking for."

 

[MMC]

How would you guys compare him to Lacombe, Thrun, Moore, and Hinds?

 

[Avs44]

You guys will like him. Boston's season is now done, so I expect he will sign shortly. He was always a bit of a slow-burn prospect when the Avs drafted him, one who needed several years of development, but I expect he's ultimately going to be a really solid but unspectacular second pairing defenseman long term for you guys.

 

[ADHB]

Based on his scouting report, sounds like a right handed Thrun.

 

[bsu]

My favorite type of video where you can watch the entire shift to see him not just highlights...



Some more videos for reference:

 

[bsu]

Prospect Info: - Drew Helleson, RHD, 47th Overall,

Our look Drew Helleson Scouting Report: 2019 NHL Draft #65

hfboards.mandatory.com

Drew Helleson Scouting Report: 2019 NHL Draft #65

Coming out of the famous Shattuck St. Mary's finishing school, defenceman Drew Helleson has spent the last two years with the U.S. NTDP.

lastwordonsports.com

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

Would be an ideal partner for Zellweger

 

[All Mighty]

FWIW, Helleson's season just ended, so if he wants to go pro, he can sign now.

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

FWIW, Helleson's season just ended, so if he wants to go pro, he can sign now.

Hope Verbeek did his due diligence and this doesn't turn out to be another Schultz situation.

 

[Kalv]

Interesting. He seems like a RH Thrun with less offense. Would had hoped for 1st, but this might be close (?) to value given he was a 2nd rounder and has played 3 seasons already, so closer to entering his prime.

Obv we need to ramp up our org D depth and this helps do it

 

[dracom]

well Verbeek did say he wanted big defensemen, a 6'3 D is definitely in that mold.

 

[JabbaJabba]

I think he fills a need in the prospect pool.

 

[Arthuros]

well Verbeek did say he wanted big defensemen, a 6'3 D is definitely in that mold.

I hope it's more of like a 1-out, 1-in situation where he isn't averse to keeping / trading for good undersized D, but just wants to make sure we don't lose size.

 

[Boo Boo]

Interested to learn more about this guy. He was noticable at the wjc and he certainly compliments our groups balance.

 

[bsu]

Seems like his comparable to a lot of people is Chris Tanev.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Seems like his comparable to a lot of people is Chris Tanev.

Tanev/Manson ceiling depending on how much nasty he adds to his game as a pro. Also seemingly has a pretty high ceiling, reading those reports it's difficult to picture him not at least becoming a solid depth D barring unforeseen circumstances. Immediately up there with Thrun in terms of high floor D prospects who shouldn't be far away.

 

[Frosted Tips]

Don't know much about him but what I've read so far gets me excited to have him

 

[Mr Rogers]

steady improvement offensively over his college career which is good to see. if he can bring some of that to the NHL, really does sound pretty similar to Manson

 

[Ducks in a row]

Drew Helleson - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Drew Helleson, 2001-03-26 Farmington, MN, USA USA. Most recently in the NHL with Anaheim Ducks. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

A capable defensive defenseman with an impressive compete-level and really good hockey sense. Skates well and is a decent puck handler, but stands out as solid defenseman who rarely makes mistakes and can shut down the top players on the opposing team. (EP 2019)

He’s an efficient and fluid skater who is capable of acceleration quickly and generates plus straight-line speed, Hockeyprospect.com 2019

He prefers to make the simple pass, but he has good vision and is patient with the puck, McKeen's Hockey 2019

A puck-moving defenseman, Helleson skates smoothly in all three zones, Future Considerations 2019

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Pretty sure him and Thrun played on a pairing together on USNDT a bit... zegras was also part of that roster

 

[bsu]

Someone literally just made this....

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Someone literally just made this....

First highlight that comes up...

i see a muffin shot, i think hell it in well on our backend

 

[tomd]

Ducks have plenty of offensively oriented prospects in the system. They don't have many (if any) prospects like Helleson that play a good two-way strong defensive game. Good add.

 

[bsu]

After watching how he got all his points in that video, one thing is for sure: He will be the complementary defensemen on the pairing he plays on. Don't see a lot of offensive generating plays there, mainly smart hard shots for tips and random secondary assists. I wish there was a highlight reel of him playing defense and passing so I could see more. Looks like he has a rather weak (power wise) shot as well... That sucks. Looks like he at least knows where to place his shots though. I like the trade we need defensemen that can actually play defense and make good decisions which seems to be his strong suit. Maybe a Depres type defensemen from watching some more video.