LD Mason Geertsen - Vancouver Giants, WHL (2013)

[seafoam]

http://www.whl.ca/roster/show/id/6679

Listed at 6'4" 203

He was part of the deal that sent David Musil to the Oil Kings. I know he is a physical defensive defenseman and is part of the youth movement in Vancouver. Since the trade, he's gotten more ice time and a bigger role. What kind of upside does he have and what round does he project to go in? Also, what would be his NHL comparable?

Thanks guys!

 

[shello]

Ive liked him for a few years now and been pumping his name out every so often. Haven't seen him at all this year so i wont comment on that but was playing well when he got the chance last year before his concussion.

 

[Circulartheory]

A very raw and toolsy type of defenseman. He has the height, the reach, and skating to be a good shutdown defenseman project.

But at the moment, he needs alot more strength to be physical effective. In addition, his play with the puck leaves much to be desired.

Once he adds some muscle to his 6-4 frame, he'll be a good player, but at the moment, that is they key thing he is missing and something that is holding him back.

This is something that can worked on, but it still is something that needs to be worked on. He could be a decent late round pick for a team looking for a good defensive project.

 

[I am the Liquor]

A very raw and toolsy type of defenseman. He has the height, the reach, and skating to be a good shutdown defenseman project.

But at the moment, he needs alot more strength to be physical effective. In addition, his play with the puck leaves much to be desired.

Once he adds some muscle to his 6-4 frame, he'll be a good player, but at the moment, that is they key thing he is missing and something that is holding him back.

This is something that can worked on, but it still is something that needs to be worked on. He could be a decent late round pick for a team looking for a good defensive project.

I really dont think so. Geertsen can hold his own with anyone in the league and was rag dolling players as a 16yr old last year. His "strength" is not something that is holding him back. It is one of his strongest assets in fact.

I would agree that his puck handling needs work and is probably the weakest part of his game.

Vancouver got good value for Musil and I was sad to see him go as an Oil King's fan. I would guess he would go somewhere in the third round, but maybe earlier because of his size.

I would say a good comparable may be Dylan McIlwrath. Not as physically dominant, but same type of player.

 

[Circulartheory]

I really dont think so. Geertsen can hold his own with anyone in the league and was rag dolling players as a 16yr old last year. His "strength" is not something that is holding him back. It is one of his strongest assets in fact.

Honestly, he looks quite lanky on the ice, so if not his strength, his needs to work on his consistency with his physicality then.

He is 6-4 but hasn't been using it consistently. He uses his skating and reach to corner rushing forwards and to poke the puck out, but he still leaves forwards unpunished.

If a smaller guy like Alex Forsberg can be left alone in front of the net to score with a guy of Geertsen's size right next to him, there is a problem.

But last game against Moose Jaw, he started to show that he recognizes his game and started to play the body alot more. He was finishing his checks, riding players off the puck and into the boards etc.

But if you say it isn't his strength, then he needs to work on his consistency, because he relies many on his reach and skating ability, and lets alot of players unpunished physically.

 

[I am the Liquor]

Honestly, he looks quite lanky on the ice, so if not his strength, his needs to work on his consistency with his physicality then.

He is 6-4 but hasn't been using it consistently. He uses his skating and reach to corner rushing forwards and to poke the puck out, but he still leaves forwards unpunished.

If a smaller guy like Alex Forsberg can be left alone in front of the net to score with a guy of Geertsen's size right next to him, there is a problem.

But last game against Moose Jaw, he started to show that he recognizes his game and started to play the body alot more. He was finishing his checks, riding players off the puck and into the boards etc.

But if you say it isn't his strength, then he needs to work on his consistency, because he relies many on his reach and skating ability, and lets alot of players unpunished physically.

He does look awkward at times, probably because of his size, but he is bull strong. He is prone to mistakes in his own zone and he needs to be able to read plays better. Its all part of his development. He didnt play much last year and that undoubtedly hurt him. He is playing as a regular this year and hopefully he gains some confidence which should come from more experience.

If he is being used as a top four guy in Vancouver there will be some growing pains, simply because he is not used to being relied upon in that role.

 

[caley]

I'm really concerned about his feet. Saw a game a couple weeks ago where a guy came at him, deked to the right and Geertsen almost fell down turning around and by the time he was turned around, he had no idea where the attacker was who had completely left him behind for a goal.

After a couple viewings of each, and I'm sure I'm alone in this, I'd rather have Keegan Kanzig.

 

[R S]

He's rising in my books. Extra ice time in Vancouver is giving him a good opportunity to show of his skillset.

 

[YEGJuniorFan]

He wasnt used much last year so my viewings of him were pretty limited. I liked what I saw, he uses his reach well and seems like one of those kids who will get ALOT stronger. Sad to see him go, he could be just as good as Musil is now in 2 years.

 

[Circulartheory]

Don't get me wrong. As of right now, I am not high on his ability in the juniors. But is he a still a good NHL prospect? Yes.

There are alot of things that I am not happy about but if you are an NHL team that wants to invest in a prospect for 5 years with careful coaching, Geertsen might be a fine selection because he has skating and size. With careful grooming, he can turn into a good player.

However, for now, I am not high on his current ability.

 

[S E P H]

I'm really concerned about his feet. Saw a game a couple weeks ago where a guy came at him, deked to the right and Geertsen almost fell down turning around and by the time he was turned around, he had no idea where the attacker was who had completely left him behind for a goal.

After a couple viewings of each, and I'm sure I'm alone in this, I'd rather have Keegan Kanzig.

Big fan of Geertsen, though he has been pretty inconsistent on Vancouver compared to Oil Kings. His skating is actually not bad for his frame, I think it's actually above average. Has the ability to join in for that time-to-time rush. The problem I have for Kanzig is he takes a lot of dumb penalties compared to Geertsen.

 

[The Nuge]

I really dont think so. Geertsen can hold his own with anyone in the league and was rag dolling players as a 16yr old last year. His "strength" is not something that is holding him back. It is one of his strongest assets in fact.

I would agree that his puck handling needs work and is probably the weakest part of his game.

Vancouver got good value for Musil and I was sad to see him go as an Oil King's fan. I would guess he would go somewhere in the third round, but maybe earlier because of his size.

I would say a good comparable may be Dylan McIlwrath. Not as physically dominant, but same type of player.

It's not so much questioning his fighting, as his ability to impose his will on forwards during play. That's what makes big shutdown dmen so good, and Geertsen definitely is not even close to being able to do that. That said, he'd definitely make a nice mid round pick, on the chance that he can tack on 20-30 lbs, and get a little polish

 

[landy92mack29]

Was drafted by Colorado 93rd overall in 2013 and listed at 6'4 212 lbs. Had a good 13-14 season but has really developed a lot this year. Has 27 pts in 39 games and has improved his game in all areas. He still doesn't have an ELC but has done everything in his power to get one and the avs would be stupid not to sign him. Could potentially be a 2nd pairing guy but most likely will be a 3rd pairing pk guy who hits hard and is a mean SOB who makes opponents dread going near him.

Anyone else have input on him?

 

[tigervixxxen]

Really interesting reading the comments here from two years ago. He's certainly worked on the areas he needed improvement.

Very solid pick for the Avs in the 4th round, he's turning out to be a nice prospect for them. Really enjoyed watching him last night and how he impacted the game offensively and defensively.

 

[R S]

I always like going back to review what I said about players in their draft year's. Here's my blurb on Geertsen from 2013, when I ranked him 18th overall out of the WHL ahead of the draft.

Geertsen is a big defender with good reach for the Giants. Makes an ok first pass and is an average skater, but has shown good improvement over the last 18 months. Has a good stick, blocks shots and picks his spots well physically. He really seemed to blossom with increased ice time after getting dealt from Edmonton to Vancouver early in the WHL season. He projects to be a good depth NHL defenceman and one that I expect to be picked in either the 3rd or 4th round.

NHL Style Comparable: Mark Stuart
Top End Potential: Top 4 D, Second Unit PK
Pick Prediction: Mid-3rd round

 

[Makar Goes Fast]

just signed his entry level contract for colorado

Well desereved in my opinion he has worked very hard.

 

[landy92mack29]

Future keeps looking brighter for him. Hope he plays well for LE and has a good camp next year.