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Player Discussion Jackson LaCombe

Starting to think he's the Ducks best drafted player in the 2019 draft. Looks like he's gonna turn into a 50+ point 2way Dman next season and could actually reach 50 points this season but I think he ends up around 48.
 

14. Jackson LaCombe: No. 1 defenseman?
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On Tuesday night against the Oilers, Jackson LaCombe had a 7.7 Game Score — the highest of any player this season. Three assists, a plus-five rating, and 58 percent of the goals while playing matchup minutes against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will certainly have that effect. Against Draisaitl in particular, the Ducks outscored the Oilers 4-0 and had 91 percent of the expected goals with LaCombe on the ice. Pure domination.

That game put a stamp on what has been an excellent run for LaCombe over the last two months where he’s established himself as a true top-pair defenseman — maybe even more. Since the Cam Fowler trade, LaCombe has been the Ducks’ top guy and he hasn’t disappointed. In 32 games he has 25 points, a 50 percent xG rate, and has outscored opponents 27-20 — all while playing tough minutes.

That’s astonishing on a team like the Ducks where the rest of the defense corps struggles, and it’s led to an average Game Score of 1.26 which ranks eighth among all defensemen. For the year, LaCombe’s Net Rating of plus-6.1 ranks 30th among defensemen.

He looks like the real deal. LaCombe is a future star and the biggest catalyst for Anaheim finally turning things around as the Ducks are 17-12-3 since trading Fowler.
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Anaheim4ever said:
Starting to think he's the Ducks best drafted player in the 2019 draft. Looks like he's gonna turn into a 50+ point 2way Dman next season and could actually reach 50 points this season but I think he ends up around 48.
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Not trying to get too crazy with the hype, but there is a non zero chance that he could end up the best player from that draft period - if he realizes the #1 D potential long term. There's no surefire elite superstar in the class, you have Jack Hughes (possible injury issues?) and then guys such as (no particular order) Seider, Harley, Boldy, Caufield...a group which the current Lacombe belongs firmly within at worst.
 
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If we're jumping onto the hype train with both feet, let me ask the question: could LaCombe get a look for the US Olympic team next season? I would give him a look maybe over Hanifin. I think he compares pretty well, although it's tough to see him over Slavvin or Werenski or Hughes on the left side.
 
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JAHV said:
If we're jumping onto the hype train with both feet, let me ask the question: could LaCombe get a look for the US Olympic team next season? I would give him a look maybe over Hanifin. I think he compares pretty well, although it's tough to see him over Slavvin or Werenski or Hughes on the left side.
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Hazy and Ahlers seemed convinced that LaCombe and Terry would both get invited
 
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Hockey Duckie said:
If we're talking about affecting the game, then using only scoring stats shouldn't be the only factor.

The Ducks weren't deploying Lindholm as if he were an OFD. Hampus' game isn't seen on the scoresheet, but in possession stats. He tilts the ice considerably more such that there are articles out there citing this and rarely gets recognition for the work he does. When I was sharing info to the Bruins board about Lindholm, I denoted how Lindholm saves a goal per game against and improves the PK unit when he's on the ice. Then he actually repeats the same production with Boston. Lindholm is still under appreciated.

Here's an article from Sports Net, April of 2016:

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Didn’t know Nick Ritchie should have never seen the ice unless Lindholm was behind him….. well actually I did know this hahaha, but damn 66 Corsi with !
 
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This is since 4Nations... 5th most d-zone starts for guys logging big minutes and his offensive numbers in that time are comparable to some of the best offensive defensemen in the league.

Quinn Hughes: 22p, 5.5% d-zone starts
Lane Hutson: 19p, 2.7% d-zone starts
Theo: 20p, 9.1% d-zone starts
Bouchard: 16 points, 9% d-zone starts

Just unreal. His ability to defend and to move the puck up the ice is incredible right now.
 
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