Guys "like" RNH lose puck battles? Maybe, but does RNH lose puck battles? Have you watched? Are you sure?
Guys "like" Ryan Smyth also lose puck battles. But did Ryan Smyth lose puck battles?
Don't judge a book by its cover.
Today... right now... RNH is a much better at protecting and recovering the puck than Draisaitl. Part of that is mindset, part of that is experience, and part of that is working with your god-given talents.
While, slender, Nuge is very strong on his skates, very coordinated with this stick, exceptionally agile and (these days) very risk-averse in terms of his decision making. He RARELY loses puck battles.
Maybe one-day Drai will be better in the corner than RNH, but despite his size, he isn't yet... and that's no slight on Drai, he's a very good player.