Player Discussion Mason McTavish

StreetHawk

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If I remember correctly, in his draft year Z was seen as a center. He just played wing in the WJCs. It was believed we were looking for centers that year. For the record, I don't regret taking Z either.
Talent was there. It's just now, Ana has added MacTavish, Carlsson at C. Gauthier played switched to C in college from W during is Nat Dev team days. Plus, Gaucher is a C who is developing. Just no room long term at C for Zegras.
 

Gliff

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Talent was there. It's just now, Ana has added MacTavish, Carlsson at C. Gauthier played switched to C in college from W during is Nat Dev team days. Plus, Gaucher is a C who is developing. Just no room long term at C for Zegras.
This makes no sense. The only con of Z at center is his lack of a 2-way game. McTavish has not shown he is any better at the NHL in terms of a 2-way game.

To me its a no brainer that McT should be on the wing before Z.
 

Hockey Duckie

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I think I'm officially on the McTavish on wing team. It's not working at center and he needs less responsibility. I'm not sure what's going on with him but I was expecting a big step forward and this has been a big step back this year. It's like he's forgotten what his strengths are.

Or it's being coached out of him? Mac looks bigger and skates faster, but something just isn't clicking. Maybe he is playing the dump & chase scheme and his teammates aren't on the same page like last season? On the PP, he's no longer the one-timer specialist, which is his strength on the PP.

I do like him at center b/c he's the only top-9 center we have that's somewhat physical. He's also similar to Z such that Mac's more engaged at center. When team Canada played Mac at wing for the Olympic games, his gameplay was neutralized.
 
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bracer028

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Or it's being coached out of him? Mac looks bigger and skates faster, but something just isn't clicking. Maybe he is playing the dump & chase scheme and his teammates aren't on the same page like last season? On the PP, he's no longer the one-timer specialist, which is his strength on the PP.

I do like him at center b/c he's the only top-9 center we have that's somewhat physical. He's also similar to Z such that Mac's more engaged at center. When team Canada played Mac at wing for the Olympic games, his gameplay was neutralized.
Or two years ago this team had vets and the opposition did not game plan for him. Now teams are gameplanning on the kids and theres a scouting report on them
 

Hockey Duckie

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Or two years ago this team had vets and the opposition did not game plan for him. Now teams are gameplanning on the kids and theres a scouting report on them

Or... teams know how simple Cronin's offensive and defensive AHL scheme that they can easily stymie our players. Mac isn't the only one struggling. Cronin said in the Chicago post-game interview that he is still experiencing the same problem with his team in game #93 about not prioritizing the "shot after the shot". That mean 82 games from last year and 11 games so far this season. That isn't the only issue plaguing the Ducks for 93 games under Cronin.
 
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bracer028

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Or... teams know how simple Cronin's offensive and defensive AHL scheme that they can easily stymie our players. Mac isn't the only one struggling. Cronin said in the Chicago post-game interview that he is still experiencing the same problem with his team in game #93 about not prioritizing the "shot after the shot". That mean 82 games from last year and 11 games so far this season. That isn't the only issue plaguing the Ducks for 93 games under Cronin.
You have a bunch of 21 -22 year olds who weigh 170. You cannot expect them to go after the shot after the shot. The opposing teams have players at 6'3" 220-230 lbs standing in front of the goal. You think these kids can outmuscle them?

Thats why they call it old-man strength. 30 year old Kesler would eat these kids for breakfast. Then imagine Getzlaf and Perry out there as well. These kids stand no chance.
 

Hockey Duckie

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You have a bunch of 21 -22 year olds who weigh 170. You cannot expect them to go after the shot after the shot. The opposing teams have players at 6'3" 220-230 lbs standing in front of the goal. You think these kids can outmuscle them?

Thats why they call it old-man strength. 30 year old Kesler would eat these kids for breakfast. Then imagine Getzlaf and Perry out there as well. These kids stand no chance.

What are you talking about?

Terry was a 60+ point scorer before Cronin. Z was a 60+ pt scorer before Cronin. Mac looked like he was breaking out last year with a ppg rate in the first 20 games of the season until he succumbed to several injuries. Fowler set career highs in scoring prior to Cronin. The only players that have looked good to great this season are G Dostal and F Terry.

The Ducks scored fewer 5v5/ES goals last year than Eakins' last year here with a shit roster. And we're continuing to see the lack of 5v5/ES goals scored this season. We are currently ranked 31st in 5v5 goals for with 13 goals, which is one more than last place NYI. (Source = Natural Stat Trick)

Mac actually lasted 80 games under Eakins and PIM of 44. Last year, Mac played 64 games and a PIM of 86. This year, 11 games played and a PIM of 12. Mac is 6'0 and 214 lbs this year. He's bowling ball who also looks faster this year. He already has outmuscled many. Something isn't clicking not only for Mac, but for the rest of the team too.

You point to the players as the failure and I just proved those players were more productive under a different coach.
 

Ducks DVM

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Terry didn't break out until his D+7 season. His offense took a dip last year, his D+9 season. This year will be Z's D+6 season (age 23) and Mac's D+4 season (age 22). Maybe we need to figure out patience and see if the offensive scheme truly is abysmal in year 2 before shipping out a couple of young, offensive forwards who are still developing.
My issue isn’t his production, it’s his play. He’s too frequently lost on the ice, and the stupid penalty meme is a real thing.
 

Hockey Duckie

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My issue isn’t his production, it’s his play. He’s too frequently lost on the ice, and the stupid penalty meme is a real thing.

I'm frustrated with Mac too. You can see him assessing and processing, but maybe he's doing it too much to his detriment. How can Cronin get Mac to last year's Mac while also making him responsible?

Cronin's coaching x stubbornness to adapt = Clarity by Zedd.

"Walk on through a red parade
and refuse to make amends.
It cuts deep through our ground
and makes us forget all common sense."
"Cause you are a piece of me
I wish I didn't need.
Chasing relentlessly,
still fight and I don't know why?"
"If our love is a tragedy,
why are you my remdy?
If our love's insanity,
why are you my clarity?"
 
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Hamilton Bulldogs

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