Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim’s future Hall of Fame defenseman, started his NHL career during the 1991-92 season, when Drew Doughty was 2 years old. How’s that for some perspective? The defensemen will be on opposite sides tonight, but they will be on the same side, for Canada, next week when the Olympic hockey tournament starts.
When league followers talk about the player Doughty might become some day, Niedermayer’s name is often mentioned. Here’s what Niedermayer said this morning, when asked for his impressions of Doughty’s play this season…
NIEDERMAYER: “I think the big thing is just that he’s playing with a lot of confidence. That goes a long way for anybody, whether you’re a second-year guy or a 15-year guy. When you’re playing with confidence and you feel like what you’re going to do is going to work, good things are going to happen when you’re at your best. Right now, that’s how that whole team is, but he’s playing with a lot of confidence right now.”
Drew is da man!
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My god I thought that said parise for doughty…I almost started a riot
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Good praise coming from one of the best D-men ever.
I was watching a program on TSN about how the management and coaching staff of Team Canada picked the players, and in seeing the behind the scenes footage, there’s no doubt in my mind that they had DD pegged from even very early on as being on Team Canada.
All of them were in constant agreement that they have complete faith in DD, his game, and his decision making ability. They made quite a few comments about him being the right man for any situation and it didn’t matter who they paired him with.
Gonna have to get me a Team Canada jersey with DD on it. GO DREW!!
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Doughty might have a legitimate shot at the Norris if we get deep into the playoffs.
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Love the way Doughty’s game is coming along.
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True that oldthunder, however i still think Duncan Keith will win it this year but Doughty will get his turn soon.
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and who instills that confidence in him and the rest of the team, Coach of the Year?
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haha 20lucfan, i thought i saw the same thing. luckily my brain couldnt process it fast enough before i realized what it ACTUALLY said.
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He kind of side stepped the question IMO. Confidence is good sure, but what does he think of his play? Don’t blame him for not doting on Doughty too much though.
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OMG…….when I read “Parise For Doughty”, I fainted, hit the floor, and when I recovered, realized it’s “PRAISE”.
Thanks for waking my sorry butt, RICH.
Hey, is that roast Quack I smell cooking??? GLORIOUS!!!
Give em hell boys, I’m gonna lose my voice tonite.
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Oldthunder, how deep we go in the playoffs has zero impact on the Norris as the awards are voted on just after the end of the regular season.
That said, depending how the team and Doughnuts fares/plays until mid-April, he could have a serious shot at it.
Dude, it almost seems like Niedermayer was really having trouble just saying outright Doughty is a gifted athlete.
He kept saying how this is all a result of confidence. All due respect to the man, but DD is not getting by on confidence alone, I think it is more a product of his elite talent.
I am sure there are lots of guys with “confidence” in the NHL but they can’t play the game the way DD does for the simple fact they are not blessed with his level of skill.
Anyway, spit it out Scotty and tell it how it is:
Doughty, at the very least, is the best d-man in Cali and top 15 in the NHL.
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Neidermeyer seems like a very classy individual. Why he plays for the Ducks I just do not understand.
Looks like the Kings got a great one in Doughty! Here is to hope.
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A goal (Kopi), a save (who else) and a hit (DD beauty on Ryan) in last weeks Plays of the Week on NHL.com! I thought some of them should have been a bit higher, but still awesome! Down with the Ducks! Go Kings!
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I would not trade Doughty for any other defenseman in the NHL… and I don’t think I am alone in saying that.
The Kings lucked out getting that second pick, huh? I remember the bellyaching that went on when Tampa got the 1st. “We can’t catch a break” blah blah blah. Funny thing is that we DID catch a break!
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Nice compliment from a future Hall of Famer (who I must say looks nothing like the player he once was..). 20 years from now future Hall of Famer Drew Doughty will be making similar comments about some one of a kind talent who has just burst onto the scene.
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Repost::
As awesome as we all know Drew Doughty is… I think he will explode in the playoffs.
This kid has the ability to transform his game. A few times this year, he’s had a few rough spots, a bad period or two, but then he changes things up and confuses the opposition. He changes his movement, his speed, his hitting and puck decisions.
Through a playoff series teams will try to figure him out, but Drew will stay one step ahead of them.
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Doughty has crushed the notion of a sophmore jinx. Next we’ll see him on the cover of Sports Illustrated and he’ll crush that jinx too.
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Thanks for the correction Barrie, I forgot the votes are at the end of the season before the playoffs. I still think if we can catch SJ, DD will be in the top 3 for votes.
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And let’s not forget, DD isn’t even close to being in top physical shape. When he gets cut and trim he will be insane good.
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I love you Drew…
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the NHL awards are based on the regular season.
madA
we are all thrilled they have DD, but we would also be thrilled if they had Stamkos. LMAO @ Barry Melrose, yeah he isnt ready to play in the NHL. i wasnt a Kings fan when he coached the team, and never thought anything of him, and he has always been Awful on ESPN. does any1 even watch that channel anymore?(no need with the 4 major sports having their own channels now). not to mention pathetic NHL coverage(i get its a fringe sport but cmon).
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Rich
i just wanted to say i am sorry for you and your family.
being a Kings fan in NY, the work you do makes me feel plugged in with the team like i was in LA, Great Site.
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Barrie G,
I read the same thing you did. Scott just wasn’t able to say anything complementary about Doughty’s talent level. He actually in a way was like saying he’s nothing special nor are the Kings they’re just confident right now. Prehaps saying anything positive about another team’s player violates some Duck’s Anti-Morality Clause. I will have to ask Odie if they asked him to sign one of those.
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I think Scott is just jealous of Doughty’s youth, he sees himself as a lad out there
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I would like to say to Ivanans he has been a positive the last 2 weeks. I have been critical of his play, because I believe verse most teams we need more scoring depth. He has recently done all that can be expected of his skill set. I believe TM will play him tonight as the Ducks have no character or shame. Expect cheap shots, crying after commiting obvious penalties, and of course the fighting. Some teams are chippy, but the Ducks just play dirty and lack class it all reflect the character of the Coach & Ownership.
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No way DD gets the Noris this year IMHO. Wouldn’t surprise me if he gets it next year though. DD hasn’t played at his normal level last couple of games.
I think the number of games and number of minutes played is catching up to DD a bit. Gonna get worse once he gets in the Olympics. I worry about that with Quick as well.
I hope Quick and DD don’t burn out before the playoffs.
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Doughty is one talented blueliner and I was unbelievably impressed with his game last season. He was only 18 or 19 and he just blew me away with his skill, poise and overall hockey sense. Doesn’t surprise me at all that nidemeyer said those things about him. I think scott’s a great player very professional and experienced but i wanna see him get leveled.
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It’s like niedermeier said he loves doughty’s hair or something, almost calling him an overachiever. Whatever.
Get those quacks boys, git em good.
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I think Dewey is a top 3 Norris candidate this year and wins it next year. I really have to agree with KC23 and KINGSfan here; I also believe Drew will find yet another gear in the playoffs. He is a true gamebreaker, mark my words.
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“Right now, that’s how that whole team is”
All the class in the entire Ducks organization, right there.
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