Ducks' Drew Helleson: Records helper in Saturday's win
Rotowire
Helleson logged an assist, two shots on goal and four hits in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Predators.
Helleson has a helper in back-to-back games after sitting out four of the previous five contests. That's a good way for him to try to claim a larger role in the lineup, though he's likely to remain confined to third-pairing minutes. Helleson is at seven points, 25 shots on net, 25 PIM, 29 blocked shots and 36 hits over 23 appearances. As long as he plays well, he should be able to fend off any challenges from Olen Zellweger for the last spot in the Ducks' lineup.
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Ducks' Drew Helleson: Chips in with assist
Rotowire
Helleson logged an assist, three shots on goal and four hits in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Penguins.
Helleson had been scratched in four of the previous five games, and he had gone eight contests without a point. The 23-year-old appears to have entered the mix of blueliners who may sit out occasionally, joining fellow young defensemen Olen Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov. Competition should bring the best out of all of them as they look to solidify their NHL spots in the long run. Helleson has earned six points, 23 shots on net, 32 hits, 29 blocked shots, 25 PIM and a minus-3 rating over 22 appearances. He has limited upside in a part-time role.
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Ducks' Drew Helleson: Part-time role in December
Rotowire
Helleson drew into the lineup for the first time in eight games when he played in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Golden Knights.
The Ducks' trades swapping Urho Vaakanainen for Jacob Trouba and dealing away Cam Fowler to St. Louis have led to a more balanced blue line between righties and lefties. Helleson is one of three right-shot defensemen, but he has sat out at times in favor of Pavel Mintyukov or Jackson LaCombe. Helleson has four points, 12 shots on net, 14 hits, 15 blocked shots and a minus-1 rating through 11 appearances this season. As a young blueliner, Helleson is likely to fill a part-time role as long as he remains on the NHL roster.
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Ducks' Drew Helleson: Pots goal in overtime loss
Rotowire
Helleson scored a goal on two shots and blocked three shots in Friday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Sabres.
Helleson opened the scoring at 4:02 of the first period. The 23-year-old blueliner has three points over four outings since he was recalled from AHL San Diego. He's been limited to a third-pairing role, but he's holding his own and could make a case for more playing time even once Urho Vaakanainen (upper body) is ready to return. Helleson has added a plus-2 rating, six blocked shots, four PIM and three shots on goal.
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Ducks' Drew Helleson: Nets first NHL goal
Rotowire
Helleson scored a goal in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Canucks.
Helleson tied the game at 2-2 with his second-period tally. This was just his second NHL contest, and he's been limited to sheltered minutes on the Ducks' third pairing. He's contributed three shots on net, two hits, a blocked shot and an even plus-minus rating. Helleson will likely have a chance to compete for an NHL job in training camp in September.
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Ducks' Drew Helleson: Returns to AHL
Rotowire
Helleson was reassigned to AHL San Diego on Saturday, per the AHL transaction page.
Helleson will probably be in the lineup for Saturday's game against Grand Rapids. He was a healthy scratch with the Ducks on Tuesday and Thursday.
