Anaheim Ducks: Comparing Contributions of 2020 and 2021 Defensemen

Josh Mahura

Josh Mahura was drafted as a purely offensive defenceman and many who have watched the San Diego Gulls team have wanted him to get a chance with the parent Anaheim Ducks in recent years. So far this season, it’s hard to argue one way or another, whether Mahura has shown a marked improvement in his play as he’s aged. Turning 23-years-old in 2 months, Mahura still has some time to work it out. Yet, that time with the Ducks may be running short if his results aren’t there.

With that said, Mahura has seen a modest reduction in his scoring rate by ~29.1% from last season, and predictably this result has been replicated across many other metrics, such as his assist rates and individual expected goals ratings.

However, there are numerous points of positivity that may behoove the Ducks to persevere with him for a little longer. Mahura has increased his total shot attempt rates by ~25.1%, his ability to create scoring chances by ~33%, and his shots on net by ~14.1%. With that said, Mahura has taken the ideology of becoming more aggressive to heart.

He’s transitioning the puck and generating rushes significantly more than prior seasons (~86.8%). He does have a propensity to give the puck away (~89.4%) more than he has in the past, somewhat blunting these aggressive drives and creating defensive issues for his own team, however, it may be a play style that agrees with him if he can improve his puckhandling over the coming offseason.

With regards to aggressive play, it should also be noted that Mahura has increased his rate of physical play (hits) by more than all skaters bar Sonny Milano, to the tune of ~376% While there are certainly more prolific hitters on the team, Mahura is showing some intent in this regard in an attempt to stick with the parent club. Nonetheless, it doesn’t appear to have helped him, with the Ducks recently reassigning him to the AHL team.