Emergence of Anaheim Ducks’ Number One Defenceman
Anaheim Ducks defenceman Jackson LaCombe emerges as the teams number-one blueliner this season.
See how hes become Anaheims go-to d-man.
The Anaheim Ducks Emerging Top Defenceman In the ever-evolving landscape of the NHL, young players often need time to find their footing before making a significant impact.
That was the case for Jackson LaCombe last season.
In and out of the Anaheim Ducks lineup, the young defenceman struggled to solidify a consistent role in the teams young and developing defensive core .
However, fast forward to this season or more specifically the last two months and LaCombe is emerging not just as a regular, but as the Ducks best defenceman.
He is a player Greg Cronin trusts in all situations, including shutting down the leagues best.
A prolific performance on March 4, 2025, punctuated his meteoric rise as the Ducks defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-2.
LaCombe posted a 7.68 GameScore, the highest single-game rating of any NHL player this season, according to Hockey Stat Cards .
What made this feat even more impressive was the quality of competition Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl , two of the most dominant offensive forces in the game.
LaCombe, alongside his usual D-partner Radko Gudas , played heavy minutes against Edmontons superstars.
Against the leagues best, LaCombe not only held his own but thrived.
There is a strong case to be made that playing alongside a defensive defenceman like Gudas gives LaCombe the freedom to join the rush and play a more offensive game; sounds like good lineup management.
From Roster Bubble to Defensive Anchor LaCombes journey to become Anaheims top defenceman wasnt immediate.
Last season, he moved between the lineup, the press box, and the AHL with San Diego.
Struggling to carve out a full-time role on a rebuilding Ducks squad, LaCombe lacked the confidence a young player needs to succeed in the NHL.
At times, he showed flashes of the two-way ability that made him a second-round pick in 2019 and a standout on a phenomenal Minnesota Gophers team.
However, inconsistency and defensive lapses kept him from securing a permanent spot.
However, this season is a different story.
The Ducks entered the year wondering which one of their young defensive prospects would rise to the occasion and become their new number one.
The Ducks were spoiled with defensive talent through strong drafting.
Jamie Drysdale became the casualty of too many young, promising defencemen.
The departure of long-time stalwart Cam Fowler forced the Ducks to give their young defencemen more minutes.
While names like Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger were expected to step up, LaCombe is the one who has seized the opportunity.
His blend of mobility, poise, offensive IQ, and defensive awareness has made him Anaheims go-to option in all key situations.
Why LaCombe is Anaheims No.
1 Defenceman LaCombe has a strong case for being the Ducks top blueliner.
His usage and results back it up, and the hockey analytics community is starting to take notice: Top Minutes Against Elite Competition When facing teams with high-end talent, the Ducks consistently deploy LaCombe and Gudas against their best forwards.
Against Edmonton, he logged significant ice time against McDavid and Draisaitl and excelled in limiting their impact.
The fact that Anaheims coaching staff trusts him in these matchups speaks volumes.
Offensive Contributions LaCombe isnt just a shutdown defenceman; he is contributing offensively at an impressive rate.
With 11 goals and 33 points through 53 games, he is on pace for a breakout offensive season.
His ability to activate off the rush and distribute the puck from the blue line make him a key piece of the Ducks transition game.
Highest Single-Game Performance of the Season Posting a 7.68 GameScore against Edmonton the best of any NHL player in any game this season is an undeniable statement.
It showcased LaCombes ability to dominate in all three zones, whether it was breaking up 2-on-1s involving Connor McDavid, driving possession, or setting up teammates.
Its the Jackson LaCombe show.
3 ?, +5 and the single best GameScore in the league this season.
Incredible debut for the Mac and Cs line (stealing that @anacalling_fhf ).
3-goal, 7-point first period.
@SportingTrib | #FlyTogether https://t.co/9BzRGZO4VM Zach Cavanagh (@ZachCav) March 5, 2025 A Complete Two-Way Game While some young defensemen excel in either offense or defense, LaCombe strikes a balance.
He is strong in transition, makes smart reads in his own zone, and can contribute offensively without taking unnecessary risks.
Some more context for the Lacombe hype: In 2025 hes been playing 23.5 minutes a night, the Ducks #1 defenceman in terms of TOI by far.
These are match-up minutes too with pretty heavy d-zone starts.
Ducks have a 52% goal and xGoal share with him on, 43% and 39% with him off.
https://t.co/Q8uQDL4QFu JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 3, 2025 The Future of Anaheims Blue Line With LaCombe emerging as Anaheims top defenceman, the Ducks now have a promising foundation to build upon.
LaCombe provides stability on a blue line that is still developing, and his chemistry with Gudas further amplifies that stability.
As the Ducks continue their rebuild , having a dependable number-one defenceman is crucial.
LaCombe has earned that title.
His elite-level performance against McDavid and Draisaitl, coupled with his growing offensive contributions and steady defensive play, cements him as the cornerstone of Anaheims defense, and the best blueliner on the team right now.
This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission..
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