[On Mason McTavish] One of the most advanced small-area scorers outside of the NHL,
Mason McTavish is destined for a lengthy, productive career in the sport's top league. There isn't any assignment that the Ducks former third overall pick can't handle. You know the type, someone a coach calls on with a minute left in one-goal games, defending a lead or trying to even up the score. His pace and engagement level weren't always where they needed to be with the Hamilton Bulldogs last season, but we don't see that as something to worry about long-term.
That's a reasonable guess, but I wonder if there's something more than just conventional wisdom behind their feeling.
Hmmm... I wonder if there is a specific author who wrote that McTavish description? EP has lots of writers/scouts.
The critique on McTavish was only with Hamilton, though, and on only 24 regular season games. I'd like more reasoning behind his "pace and engagement level" too b/c there are a couple of factors I can cite that could be a reason such as new team (new team chemistry, new team identity, new team game play, etc...) and the Olympic interruption. McTavish's scoring rate with the Bulldogs was tied for first with 1.67 ppg.
In the playoffs and Memorial cup, Hamilton was double shifting McTavish often, which fatigued could affect pace and engagement levels. It was noticeable on back-to-back games without a day rest. I know a lot of posters on here commented about McTavish barely doing anything in the playoffs, but somehow gets on the board with points in some games. I'm thinking that's what the EP author is probably identifying b/c that's the only time I've heard criticism like that about McTavish.
The weird part is McTavish played 19 playoffs games and 5 Memorial cup games, which is the same amount of regular season games played with Hamilton. It's easier to focus on McTavish in the playoffs since there are fewer teams to watch.
The WJC-20 in August was the last time McTavish played in a hockey game. In 7 games, McTavish carried the team to gold. Maybe that's why it isn't something to worry about?
eprinkside.com
