C Mason McTavish - Peterborough Petes, OHL (2021, 3rd, ANA)

[lwvs84]

He was my Center 1# in last years draft above beniers. The questions about his skating were never a big deal to me as he is such a hard worker and improves every spot his coaches tell him to. He’s unreal along the boards and has a knack for getting into goal scoring position. His natural hockey sense is just unreal too. Good thing my wings aren’t out West with the ducks anymore otherwise we would be battling every year coming up.

Let's hope we're still battling every year

 

[KaseMeOutside]

Yes our center depth looks great.. Need a replacement for Shattenkirk asap and Lindholm needs to be signed 100%.

Zegras (2 way creative playmaking stud)
McTavish (2 way center in the mold of Pavelski/Kesler)
Lundestrom (literally a Danault clone)
Groulx (grinder with some hands)

most are unaware of how good Lundestrom is becoming, he might make it possible to put McTavish on the Zegras line. Picturing what the NHL player version of what MM could be is quite possibly a perfect compliment to Zegras...

 

[Kalv]

most are unaware of how good Lundestrom is becoming, he might make it possible to put McTavish on the Zegras line. Picturing what the NHL player version of what MM could be is quite possibly a perfect compliment to Zegras...

Yeah, Lundy was for sure raising my eyebrows this year. His production dropped lately when as soon as he got Deslauriers/Grant as one of his wingers. He will not take shifts over offensively but he will outskate and outsmart you, and just be really hard to play against.
If McTavish can elevate his game to be a 2C then we have a really intriguing center depth with Z, McT, Lundy, Groulx

Anyways, encouraging to see that whole shift by McT. He just literally single-handedly took over ans scored the opening goal, against quite a decent team.

 

[bert]

His skating has improved alot, same with his skill, this guys a beast. Does it all out there, love his game, his edge and the intensity. Perfect compliment to Zegras. Exciting time for Ducks fans.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Looked incredible. Excited to follow him against better teams to see if he can dominate in the same way.

2021 draft looks like it was insanely underrated.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Looked incredible. Excited to follow him against better teams to see if he can dominate in the same way.

2021 draft looks like it was insanely underrated.

I felt like people were sleeping on that draft from the start…. It maybe lacks that Matthews/Mcdavid/Crosby type star…. But I felt like there was plenty of talent in the draft.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

He was my Center 1# in last years draft above beniers. The questions about his skating were never a big deal to me as he is such a hard worker and improves every spot his coaches tell him to. He’s unreal along the boards and has a knack for getting into goal scoring position. His natural hockey sense is just unreal too. Good thing my wings aren’t out West with the ducks anymore otherwise we would be battling every year coming up.

That's impressive scouting, well done.

I had Beniers quite a bit above McTavish at the time of the draft, but now I'm not so sure. Shows how bad I am at this whole player evaluation thing.

 

[JackSlater]

He looks like a 30 year old out there. In terms of poise and strength, and also just literally.

 

[BadgerBruce]

This will inevitably be taken the wrong way, but …

Be very careful about evaluating NHL experienced players on the basis of WJC performance.

Barrett Hayton (a #5 overall pick) was also a man amongst boys when Arizona released him for the WJC in 2020. An absolute monster no junior age player in the tournament could physically contain. Even Joey Veleno, released by the Red Wings’ AHL affiliate to play for Canada, was consistently a step ahead. Moving back in time, I could name a bunch more.

I’m a McTavish fan and thoroughly enjoy watching him play. I believe he is going to be an effective pro. But the best way to measure his development is to look at his performance with the Ducks and, to a lesser degree, the AHL Gulls. That’s the level to which he aspires, not junior-level amateur hockey.

 

[BruinsBtn]

Watching this guy in the OHL, the question about him is his compete and consistency, not his skill.

When he's engaged, he's awesome. But he takes a lot of periods and days off.

That's a question that's only going to be answered in 3-4 years. I don't know if he's going to be a great NHL player for 20 games a year or 70 games a year.

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

This pick looks better and better by the day.

I still am hopeful that his development doesn't plateau in juniors. Wish he went back to Switzerland

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

This pick looks better and better by the day.

I still am hopeful that his development doesn't plateau in juniors. Wish he went back to Switzerland

I thought he was 1 of those players that would have benefitted being able to stay in AHL this year…. Not sure there is much in juniors/Chl for him in terms of development

 

[JediOrderPizza]

Another player I wanted the wings to draft but hey we got Edvinsson, I feel like I have said this for every ducks prospect the last 4 years? Good job ducks.

 

[Kalv]

This will inevitably be taken the wrong way, but …

Be very careful about evaluating NHL experienced players on the basis of WJC performance.

Barrett Hayton (a #5 overall pick) was also a man amongst boys when Arizona released him for the WJC in 2020. An absolute monster no junior age player in the tournament could physically contain. Even Joey Veleno, released by the Red Wings’ AHL affiliate to play for Canada, was consistently a step ahead. Moving back in time, I could name a bunch more.

I’m a McTavish fan and thoroughly enjoy watching him play. I believe he is going to be an effective pro. But the best way to measure his development is to look at his performance with the Ducks and, to a lesser degree, the AHL Gulls. That’s the level to which he aspires, not junior-level amateur hockey.

I'm a Ducks fan and I as well (as many other Ducks fans) are asking this – is there enough skill, not only his maturity level over his peers, that could drive his play in the NHL down the road. The time in Anaheim he was pretty vanilla, his strenght was not a factor, and he did not create much on his own. While I still have concerns, have to remember that:

1. He played in the pros even pre-draft and produced. (First games he played little and was scoreless but then picked up, which also can be seen in his playoff numbers there)
2. The reviews from his AHL stint was that he was very good there
3. Not being able to physically compete as an 18 yo in the NHL is nothing new
4. Hayton you mentioned was D+2 year. BigMac is in his Draft +1, he unlike Beniers, Power, Eklund, Johnson, is eligible for next years tournament. Albeit he is late-Jan birthday as well, he is younger. In D+1 very rarely anyone is taking over games.
5. His skating and skills seem to have gotten better

Still, as I said, me and other Ducks fans have some concerns around it, but so far things are tracking quite well. I'm super happy he got a stint on a team with Getzy, that had to make a difference.

Another player I wanted the wings to draft but hey we got Edvinsson, I feel like I have said this for every ducks prospect the last 4 years? Good job ducks.

Yeah, while I'm fine with our drafting, whenever I look at RedWings picks, I'm thinking:'' ok, I would had liked that as well''. You guys have some absolute studs the past years. Our rivalry renewed in drafting?

 

[AngelDuck]

I wouldn't read into his stint in Anaheim much at all. He was an 18 year old getting a cup of coffee. Ryan O'Reilly had 26 points in 81 games his age 18 and then had 26 in 74 his age 19. It's going to take sometime for Big Mac to figure things out.

Regardless, I think the Ducks made the right call sending him back. Probably wasn't the easiest decision, he wasn't ridiculously lost out there but wasn't making enough of an impact with the puck to justify keeping him. But he can gain a lot from dominating with the puck right now. And I definitely think he'll make the Ducks full time in October. I'm not expecting him to jump into the league next year and tear things up either though. I think that'll happen after he turns 20

 

[BadgerBruce]

I'm a Ducks fan and I as well (as many other Ducks fans) are asking this – is there enough skill, not only his maturity level over his peers, that could drive his play in the NHL down the road. The time in Anaheim he was pretty vanilla, his strenght was not a factor, and he did not create much on his own. While I still have concerns, have to remember that:

1. He played in the pros even pre-draft and produced. (First games he played little and was scoreless but then picked up, which also can be seen in his playoff numbers there)
2. The reviews from his AHL stint was that he was very good there
3. Not being able to physically compete as an 18 yo in the NHL is nothing new
4. Hayton you mentioned was D+2 year. BigMac is in his Draft +1, he unlike Beniers, Power, Eklund, Johnson, is eligible for next years tournament. Albeit he is late-Jan birthday as well, he is younger. In D+1 very rarely anyone is taking over games.
5. His skating and skills seem to have gotten better

Still, as I said, me and other Ducks fans have some concerns around it, but so far things are tracking quite well. I'm super happy he got a stint on a team with Getzy, that had to make a difference.



Yeah, while I'm fine with our drafting, whenever I look at RedWings picks, I'm thinking:'' ok, I would had liked that as well''. You guys have some absolute studs the past years. Our rivalry renewed in drafting?

Thank you for responding thoughtfully. These threads can so easily become pissing matches when the actual gap between posters’ views is just not that wide.

 

[95snipes]

McTavish will be the best player from the 2021 draft IMO. He's like a Richards/Carter hybrid, Mike Richards grit with Jeff Carters shot. Perfect complement to Zegras as has been mentioned.

This will inevitably be taken the wrong way, but …

Be very careful about evaluating NHL experienced players on the basis of WJC performance.

Barrett Hayton (a #5 overall pick) was also a man amongst boys when Arizona released him for the WJC in 2020. An absolute monster no junior age player in the tournament could physically contain. Even Joey Veleno, released by the Red Wings’ AHL affiliate to play for Canada, was consistently a step ahead. Moving back in time, I could name a bunch more.

I’m a McTavish fan and thoroughly enjoy watching him play. I believe he is going to be an effective pro. But the best way to measure his development is to look at his performance with the Ducks and, to a lesser degree, the AHL Gulls. That’s the level to which he aspires, not junior-level amateur hockey.

I understand your overall point, but that is not a great comparison. Hayton was a year older as 2020 was his D+2. Hayton struggled at the WJC in 2019. He also had (has) red flags in his game and major concerns with hockey IQ even if his release is very good.

Veleno was nowhere near as good and is very obviously a limited offensive player.

McTavish passes the eye test in spades, the biggest concern I have is compete/engagement as another poster mentioned, but that is a minor issue.

 

[Hinterland]

Watching this guy in the OHL, the question about him is his compete and consistency, not his skill.

When he's engaged, he's awesome. But he takes a lot of periods and days off.

That's a question that's only going to be answered in 3-4 years. I don't know if he's going to be a great NHL player for 20 games a year or 70 games a year.

He didn't take a single shift off while in Switzerland or with the Ducks. If he does take time off it's probably because he's bored as f*** playing vs kids. He also does a lot hope plays or fancy stuff when playing vs kids. I haven't seen anything like it when he was playing vs pros.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

This will inevitably be taken the wrong way, but …

Be very careful about evaluating NHL experienced players on the basis of WJC performance.

Barrett Hayton (a #5 overall pick) was also a man amongst boys when Arizona released him for the WJC in 2020. An absolute monster no junior age player in the tournament could physically contain. Even Joey Veleno, released by the Red Wings’ AHL affiliate to play for Canada, was consistently a step ahead. Moving back in time, I could name a bunch more.

I’m a McTavish fan and thoroughly enjoy watching him play. I believe he is going to be an effective pro. But the best way to measure his development is to look at his performance with the Ducks and, to a lesser degree, the AHL Gulls. That’s the level to which he aspires, not junior-level amateur hockey.

He's 18 and has another year of eligibility

 

[BruinsBtn]

He didn't take a single shift off while in Switzerland or with the Ducks. If he does take time off it's probably because he's bored as f*** playing vs kids. He also does a lot hope plays or fancy stuff when playing vs kids. I haven't seen anything like it when he was playing vs pros.

Use your head.

Obviously he can get up for 13 games in Switzerland or 9 games in Anaheim when it's the biggest stage he's ever been on and he's fighting like hell to get drafted or make a team.

But what happens when 9 games turns into 300 and he's an NHL regular? What happens when he's bored as f*** playing another meaningless regular season game? He's played only 60 major junior games in his life and he's already going through the motions? That's a red flag.

I mean, do you watch NHL hockey? The greatest players bring it almost every night but half of the league doesn't. My biggest question about this guy is whether he has that kind of effort in him to be a great player or a guy who only brings it half the time. Guys like Crosby and Marchand have played 1000 games and they're the hardest-working guys in the first game of pre-season. I don't think McTavish has that in him but it's hard to tell. Guys change.

That he's been able to get excited for his first 25 pro games doesn't tell you anything. That you're using it to judge him is silly, and that's putting it kindly. Even the biggest floaters in the NHL today were able to bring the effort for their first 25 pro games.

 

[Kalv]

Use your head.

Obviously he can get up for 13 games in Switzerland or 9 games in Anaheim when it's the biggest stage he's ever been on and he's fighting like hell to get drafted or make a team.

But what happens when 9 games turns into 300 and he's an NHL regular? What happens when he's bored as f*** playing another meaningless regular season game? He's played only 60 major junior games in his life and he's already going through the motions? That's a red flag.

I mean, do you watch NHL hockey? The greatest players bring it almost every night but half of the league doesn't. My biggest question about this guy is whether he has that kind of effort in him to be a great player or a guy who only brings it half the time. Guys like Crosby and Marchand have played 1000 games and they're the hardest-working guys in the first game of pre-season. I don't think McTavish has that in him but it's hard to tell. Guys change.

That he's been able to get excited for his first 25 pro games doesn't tell you anything. That you're using it to judge him is silly, and that's putting it kindly. Even the biggest floaters in the NHL today were able to bring the effort for their first 25 pro games.

You need some tea and calm down.

If "25 pro games don't tell you anything" then 60 OHL games is not a life sentence as well, and as far as I've understood the "issues" with him is just in a few games and only this year? For a proven (to put it lightly) player before WJC's? Isn't that making you think at all?

He's in great shape, why would he be working hard off the ice and be lazy on the ice? In the AHL he was staying after practices to shoot the puck.

Idk where this all talk started from but boy jumping to assumptions sure sounds like needs to be an Olympic sport.

PS
There is still a lot he needs to prove but I just don't get this "lazy" narrative. That's the least of concerns

 

[Groo]

Use your head.

Obviously he can get up for 13 games in Switzerland or 9 games in Anaheim when it's the biggest stage he's ever been on and he's fighting like hell to get drafted or make a team.

But what happens when 9 games turns into 300 and he's an NHL regular? What happens when he's bored as f*** playing another meaningless regular season game? He's played only 60 major junior games in his life and he's already going through the motions? That's a red flag.

I mean, do you watch NHL hockey? The greatest players bring it almost every night but half of the league doesn't. My biggest question about this guy is whether he has that kind of effort in him to be a great player or a guy who only brings it half the time. Guys like Crosby and Marchand have played 1000 games and they're the hardest-working guys in the first game of pre-season. I don't think McTavish has that in him but it's hard to tell. Guys change.

That he's been able to get excited for his first 25 pro games doesn't tell you anything. That you're using it to judge him is silly, and that's putting it kindly. Even the biggest floaters in the NHL today were able to bring the effort for their first 25 pro games.

Too funny. Based on what?

 

[majormajor]

Use your head.

Obviously he can get up for 13 games in Switzerland or 9 games in Anaheim when it's the biggest stage he's ever been on and he's fighting like hell to get drafted or make a team.

But what happens when 9 games turns into 300 and he's an NHL regular? What happens when he's bored as f*** playing another meaningless regular season game? He's played only 60 major junior games in his life and he's already going through the motions? That's a red flag.

I mean, do you watch NHL hockey? The greatest players bring it almost every night but half of the league doesn't. My biggest question about this guy is whether he has that kind of effort in him to be a great player or a guy who only brings it half the time. Guys like Crosby and Marchand have played 1000 games and they're the hardest-working guys in the first game of pre-season. I don't think McTavish has that in him but it's hard to tell. Guys change.

That he's been able to get excited for his first 25 pro games doesn't tell you anything. That you're using it to judge him is silly, and that's putting it kindly. Even the biggest floaters in the NHL today were able to bring the effort for their first 25 pro games.

I think it's a fair question to ask, and we should watch out for that kind of lack of passion with prospects. The lack of passion was showing with Lafreniere in his draft year but people swept the questions away.

I personally have just never noticed McTavish lacking the internal fire, I haven't watched him in the OHL this year, so I am going to stay blissfully unaware of this unless it becomes a problem at higher levels.

It's also possible, hear me out, that guys take professionalism more seriously at the pro level, and bring a junior attitude towards junior hockey. Sillinger looked like he didn't give a crap when he played in the USHL but has had the most perfect pro bearing since going pro.

 

[lwvs84]

Didn't Getzlaf have the same attitude issues in juniors? Hopefully the Ducks have the same "problem" player in McTavish. Last time worked out OK for them.

 

[Goose of Reason]

Use your head.

Obviously he can get up for 13 games in Switzerland or 9 games in Anaheim when it's the biggest stage he's ever been on and he's fighting like hell to get drafted or make a team.

But what happens when 9 games turns into 300 and he's an NHL regular? What happens when he's bored as f*** playing another meaningless regular season game? He's played only 60 major junior games in his life and he's already going through the motions? That's a red flag.

I mean, do you watch NHL hockey? The greatest players bring it almost every night but half of the league doesn't. My biggest question about this guy is whether he has that kind of effort in him to be a great player or a guy who only brings it half the time. Guys like Crosby and Marchand have played 1000 games and they're the hardest-working guys in the first game of pre-season. I don't think McTavish has that in him but it's hard to tell. Guys change.

That he's been able to get excited for his first 25 pro games doesn't tell you anything. That you're using it to judge him is silly, and that's putting it kindly. Even the biggest floaters in the NHL today were able to bring the effort for their first 25 pro games.

Huh? When has effort been an issue for McTavish? The guy plays hard and has done nothing but put big work into all of the parts of his game that have needed work, where is all of this coming from?