StevenToddIves
Registered User
2024 Draft Profile:
RW Maxim Masse, Chicoutimi QMJHL
There is little doubt that Masse was one of the stronger forwards in the Q this past year, with a 36-39-75 line in 69 games. He's got an NHL frame at 6'1-190 and is diverse enough in his scoring arsenal that he's received no small amount of 1st round attention for the 2024 NHL draft. But while there is a lot on the surface to be excited about, there are a few concerns under the surface which Masse will need to improve in order to succeed in a top 6 role at the professional level.
When he's on his game, Masse can really pour in the points. He's a true dual threat -- a borderline high-end passer and shooter who can create time and space with a nifty set of hands and a penchant for using his strong frame to protect the puck. Masse is not a high-pace offensive creator -- he likes to slow it down. He likes to use his hands and puck-protection to give himself space. When he wins these battles, he's got a shot which he uses both to beat goalies clean, and he can also connect on passes with impressive vision to create high-danger scoring chances.
The lack of pace, however, is certainly a concern at higher levels. One such reason is that Masse is probably a below average skater. It's frustrating because he actually has a powerful first step, and he can get from a standstill to top speed in an instant. But it's frustrating in the sense that his top speeds are not very good. He is also not a player with impressive edges or mobility. Out of several things which give me pause on Masse, this is the foremost one.
Masse's hockey IQ is also fraught with contradiction. While he can make some extremely smart plays with the puck in order to create room for himself or to create offense for his team, he is also prone to bad decisions. He's a very good volume shooter and very good passer in general, but often will choose the wrong option -- shooting directly into a defender's shin pads or trying to force passes into double coverage. It's not as if he gets frustrated, it's almost set at random with Masse -- good play than bad play then good play then bad play. Compete level? Also inconsistent. Masse is a hard worker with the puck but this ethic can lag without it. When Masse is fully engaged, he can be a difference-maker, but he's not always fully engaged.
In conclusion, there is certainly a lot to like and hope for with a player as multi-dimensionally talented on offense as Maxim Masse. But the concerns with skating and in-game focus would give me pause to drafting him as early as some have advocated. I would start looking at him towards the end of the 2nd round, but someone will certainly have fallen for his combination of size and skill and taken him by then.
RW Maxim Masse, Chicoutimi QMJHL
There is little doubt that Masse was one of the stronger forwards in the Q this past year, with a 36-39-75 line in 69 games. He's got an NHL frame at 6'1-190 and is diverse enough in his scoring arsenal that he's received no small amount of 1st round attention for the 2024 NHL draft. But while there is a lot on the surface to be excited about, there are a few concerns under the surface which Masse will need to improve in order to succeed in a top 6 role at the professional level.
When he's on his game, Masse can really pour in the points. He's a true dual threat -- a borderline high-end passer and shooter who can create time and space with a nifty set of hands and a penchant for using his strong frame to protect the puck. Masse is not a high-pace offensive creator -- he likes to slow it down. He likes to use his hands and puck-protection to give himself space. When he wins these battles, he's got a shot which he uses both to beat goalies clean, and he can also connect on passes with impressive vision to create high-danger scoring chances.
The lack of pace, however, is certainly a concern at higher levels. One such reason is that Masse is probably a below average skater. It's frustrating because he actually has a powerful first step, and he can get from a standstill to top speed in an instant. But it's frustrating in the sense that his top speeds are not very good. He is also not a player with impressive edges or mobility. Out of several things which give me pause on Masse, this is the foremost one.
Masse's hockey IQ is also fraught with contradiction. While he can make some extremely smart plays with the puck in order to create room for himself or to create offense for his team, he is also prone to bad decisions. He's a very good volume shooter and very good passer in general, but often will choose the wrong option -- shooting directly into a defender's shin pads or trying to force passes into double coverage. It's not as if he gets frustrated, it's almost set at random with Masse -- good play than bad play then good play then bad play. Compete level? Also inconsistent. Masse is a hard worker with the puck but this ethic can lag without it. When Masse is fully engaged, he can be a difference-maker, but he's not always fully engaged.
In conclusion, there is certainly a lot to like and hope for with a player as multi-dimensionally talented on offense as Maxim Masse. But the concerns with skating and in-game focus would give me pause to drafting him as early as some have advocated. I would start looking at him towards the end of the 2nd round, but someone will certainly have fallen for his combination of size and skill and taken him by then.
Last edited: